Six months in the West-Indies, in 1825

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ST. LUCIA.

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stern, a hook, with a piece of bacon on it, was thrown out to him, and we anchored him directly. His struggles were really tremendous, and his jaw must have been tougher than leather not to have given way before the furious jerks and flings which he made to free himself. Two sucking fishes, which were clinging to his side, never loosed their hold during the tempest which the dying agonies of their master created. At length a strong running knot was tightened round his body, and he was drawn up to the mizen chains. Even here the hampered animal was terrible, and it was not without slow and watchful caution that a sailor came within reach of it, and with a long and sharp knife stabbed it in the neck. He then cut off the head and one of the fore-fins, and, slipping the knot, dropped the bloody and yet writhing mass to the bottom of the Atlantic. The men now looked out for some good luck, and lo! the wind which had been light, and baffling because three clergymen, or reckoning a bishop at two, four clergymen were on board, came round steady and fresh on the starboard quarter because they had killed a shark. We landed at the wharf at the bottom of the Carenage, and, mounting as many of Major Shaw's horses as we wanted, set off upon our journey to Government House. He who has ridden to and from the Corral ought not to fear riding any where or in any manner, yet I own I expected to break my bones that evening in 12


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