He had a curious custom.
Having filled his bau-bau (pipe) with tobacco, and lighted it ready for use, he invariably made an incantation, something after the style of grace before meat. This was his way of offering thanks either to us or the "gods," for the plentiful supply of tobacco.
We were six days out of sight of land, and when in mid-ocean, I turned to the dwarf and asked him in which direction lay his home, the island of "Egum." Without hesitation he correctly pointed out the quarter, although, at the time, our vessel was several points out of her direct course. The bump of locality is highly developed in them.
As with certain animals, this instinct with natives is very strong. We had been absent from "Egum" three weeks, so our little friend was getting a bit home-sick and anxious to rejoin his family.
One day we were travelling at a speed of five knots an hour, when, following in our wake, we descried a huge shark. He followed us for some time in a most determined manner, hoping no doubt to receive some of the contents of our cooking pot. We did not disturb him at once, as we were interested in watching his two little satellites. He was accompanied by two inseparable companions, known as "pilot fish." They were less than a foot long, and beautifully marked by tiny, light-coloured spots. They swam just over him, always keeping in the one position. They were evidently his firm friends. I had often heard of these strange little fishes, but this was the first time I had seen them in attendance upon his "sharkship."
As I gazed, I could not help wondering what office they performed, and for what reason the shark had chosen them for his companions.
What bond could there exist between two such totally distinct species of fish? the one strong, powerful and noted for its voracity, the other for its diminutiveness, beauty of form and weakness? Maybe, the pilot fish in some mysterious way gives warning of danger to the shark. I know not. It must be of some service to him, otherwise he would not fraternize with the little creature.
In the river Nile, where crocodiles abound, it is said a tiny bird [ [3] ] takes up its abode in the mouth of the crocodile, and acts as his friend. At any rate the crocodile recognizes the friendship by never attempting to molest its winged companion.
Truly the works of Nature are wonderful and full of mystery!
Although we respected the pilot fish and had no feelings of hatred against them, the shark was sentenced to death. One of us got a Winchester rifle, and at the first shot riddled the head of the monster, his two little comrades escaping unhurt. The shark, without a struggle, soon turned belly upwards, and before we could reach him, sank beneath the waves. What became of his little friends it is impossible to say, for we saw them no more.