That an able-bodied, hearty shark was deader’n
a door-knob here.
“So the mate was medical ’xaminer, and he
straddled the critter’s back
And laid him open from deck to keel with one
almighty whack.
“Now listen close while I tell the rest, for this is
the story’s peth,
—You may take my nob for a scuttle-butt if
the shark warn’t starved to death.