for an indefinite time--at those depths;
it is easy, therefore (supposing such to be the case) to understand that
it may be quite opposed to the creature's habits to appear at the
surface _at all_; and that, when it does so, it will be--as, indeed, we
have every reason to suppose--at very lengthened intervals; and then,
probably, only in consequence of some unusually disturbing influence.
The opportunities of seeing the reptile must necessarily, under such
circumstances, be extremely few; and it is quite possible, or rather I
should say, very likely, that many of its visits to the upper world have
been entirely unwitnessed. In the present instance, for example, no
eyes but ours were witnesses of the scene which so lately took place;
and had we been but a dozen miles from the spot, it would have passed
unnoticed even by us. And my observation of mankind, Bob, has led me to
the conclusion that the race are extremely sceptical as to the existence
of everything but what is _well_ known."

"Very true, Harry, my lad," returned Bob; "you reels it all off just
like a book, and therein you shows the advantages of larning. I knows
by my own feelin's how difficult 'tis to believe a thing a man don't
understand. But it seems to me, `to return to the practical'--as I've
heard the poor old skipper say--that we might as well haul up on our
course ag'in now; and I'll go and look after the dinner; for I shall be
afraid to go to sleep ag'in for the next fortnight; that blamed old
sarpent 'll ha'nt me like a nightmare now, if I so much as shut my eyes
for five minutes."

The sheets were flattened in, and the little craft's jaunty bowsprit
once more pointed southward; whilst Bob dived below, and in a few
minutes more a thin wreath of smoke issuing from the galley-funnel
betrayed his whereabouts and his occupation.

Suddenly he reappeared at the companion, and with a serious countenance
remarked:

"I say, Harry, lad, I s'pose there's no chance of that devil,"--with a
jerk of the thumb in the direction of our weather-quarter--"getting a
sniff of our dinner, and making sail in chase, is there?"

I assured him that, in my belief, there was a strong probability that
the serpent was, at that moment, perhaps _miles_ deep in the ocean,
banqueting royally on the dead whale; and, seeing the reasonableness of
this supposition, he retired, satisfied.

Nothing further occurred that day to disturb us. We continued to bowl
away to the southw