it."

But when we tried to reach the object, the spear proved to be too
short.

"There, now," said Peterkin with a sneer, "you were always telling
me it was too long."

Jack now drove the spear forcibly towards the object, and let go
his hold; but, although it seemed to be well aimed, he must have
missed, for the handle soon rose again; and when the spear was
drawn up, there was the pale green object in exactly the same spot,
slowly moving its tail.

"Very odd," said Jack.

But although it was undoubtedly very odd, and, although Jack and
all of us plunged the spear at it repeatedly, we could neither hit
it nor drive it away, so we were compelled to continue our journey
without discovering what it was. I was very much perplexed at this
strange appearance in the water, and could not get it out of my
mind for a long time afterwards. However, I quieted myself by
resolving that I would pay a visit to it again at some more
convenient season.



CHAPTER X.