"There is nothing at all improbable in that," returned the captain.
"This fish belongs to a species that is found in all latitudes
and in all seas. It is the 'balance-fish,' or hammer-headed shark,
if I am not much mistaken. But if your Lordship has no objections,
and it would give the smallest pleasure to Lady Helena to see
a novelty in the way of fishing, we'll soon haul up the monster
and find out what it really is."

"What do you say, McNabbs? Shall we try to catch it?"
asked Lord Glenarvan.

"If you like; it's all one to me," was his cousin's cool reply.

"The more of those terrible creatures that are killed the better,
at all events," said John Mangles, "so let's seize the chance,
and it will not only give us a little diversion, but be doing
a good action."

"Very well, set to work, then," said Glenarvan.

Lady Helena soon joined her husband on deck, quite charmed at the prospect
of such exciting sport. The sea was splendid, and every movement of
the shark was distinctly visible. In obedience to the captain's orders,
the sailors threw a strong rope over the starboard side of the yacht,
with a big hook at the end of it, concealed in a thick lump of bacon.
The bait took at once, though the shark was full fifty yards distant.
He began to make rapidly for the yacht, beating the waves violently
with his fins, and keeping his tail in a perfectly straight line.
As he got nearer, his great projecting eyes could be seen inflamed