Page:Round-about Rambles in Lands of Fact and Fancy, Stockton, 1872.djvu/210

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ROUNDABOUT RAMBLES.

such strong tastes of that kind, that he has been known to attack ships, driving his long sword clean through the bottom of the vessel. But he generally comes off second best on such occasions, for his sword is very often broken off and left sticking fast in the thick hull.

The Sword-fish has a better chance when he attacks a Whale, and this he has often been known to do. The Whale could probably kill

the Sword-fish, if he could get one good crack at him, but the smaller fish is generally active enough to keep out of the way of harm, while he drives his sword into the Whale again and again, until the great creature often perishes from loss of blood.

The Shark, as you all know, is the most ferocious and dangerous