Now that it was all over, Oliver, too, felt rather shaky in the legs. However, he watched the men get the shark aboard, and then spent some time in examining the monster.
“As large a shovel-nose as I have ever seen,” said Captain Morris. “It’s a wonder that he didn’t make mince-meat of both of you.”
The boy selected some of the teeth, and after they were broken out of the jaw-bone, the carcass was sent to the galley to be tried out.
“I guess we won’t want to go shark fishing after this,” said Mr. Whyland.
“No,” rejoined Oliver with a shiver; “I don’t even want to see another of the ugly things!”
“They are awfully dangerous creatures,” went on Mr. Whyland. “Many a one-legged sailor has had the missing limb taken off by just such a fellow as this.”
“And many a sailor has had his head taken off instead of his leg,” put in Captain Morris. “I wouldn’t do what you did for a thousand dollars!”
“Neither would I again,” replied Oliver; “but I think too much of Gus to let him become food for sharks.”
After this they separated, and Oliver went down to the stateroom. No sooner did he enter than Gus threw his arms about his chum’s neck.