It had a hawk-like beak, cruel jaws, and eyes round and cat-like. Great arms, adorned with curious feelers of spongy material, completely enveloped the hull of the boat.
In that instant all recognized the nature of the creature.
“An octopus!” screamed Stanhope.
It was truly one of that monster variety of cuttlefish or octopus which inhabit the depths of the Pacific.
The black mist in the water was now easily explained.
The octopus possesses a bag filled with an inky fluid which it dispenses through the water upon the approach of danger.
Frank was filled with horror and dismay. Not that he feared the attack of the octopus, but it was the means of his losing track of the white whale.
The arms of the octopus held the boat securely. Its ravenous beak beat furiously against the cabin window.
Of course its strength was not sufficient to break it, nor could any harm be done the Dolphin.
But it was a question of no light sort as to how they were to release themselves from the clutches of the monster. Of course this must be done before they could hope to proceed.