There was need for the foresight, as was soon proved. Fitz was sitting leaning right back with his eyes half-closed, thoroughly enjoying the change; the trouble of the morning was for the moment numbed, and no care assailed him. He was listening as he enjoyed the sensation that thrilled the nerves of his arm as the bait and lead sinker were drawn through the water far astern with a peculiar jigging motion, and questioning Poole about the kind of fish that they were likely to encounter as far south as they then were.
“You have been across here, then, before?” he said.
“Oh yes; four times.”
“Ever seen any sharks?”
“Lots; but not out here. I saw most close in shore among the islands.”
“What islands?”
“Oh, any of them; Saint Lucia, Nevis, Trinidad. Pretty big too, some of them.”
“Ever catch one?”
“No, we never tried. Nasty brutes! I hate them.”
“So does everybody, I suppose. But, I say, think we shall catch anything to-day?”