said the captain, inclined to be angry. "I've a
good mind never to save anyone again."

"That will not matter much to me. You are not likely to save me twice."

"Who are you?"

"My name is Homer Woddle, sir."

"You speak loud enough," replied the captain.

"Bah! it's evident you are not a man of science, or you would have heard
of me. I have written books, sir--books!"

"What then?"

"I am a famous man. My position in life is that of Secretary to the
Society for the Exploration of the Unknown Parts of the World, sir, and
I am making my third voyage."

"How were you wrecked?"

"That is the strangest thing. But give me to eat and drink, clothe me,
and you shall hear."

"Speak first, and then I'll think of it, Mr. Woddle," said the captain.

The conversation was audible enough to be heard by all on board, who
crowded round the speakers in a way that showed how severely discipline
on board the ship had been interfered with by the late occurrence.

"Well, well, well," cried the little man, irritably, "what a boy you
are! I left Boston last week on board the _Comet_. Well, sir, that ship
was fitted up at a great expense in order that we might make
discoveries. Do you see?"

"Not clearly as yet," answered the captain.

"Tush, be quiet," exclaimed the irritable little man; "don't interrupt
me. This morning about eight o'clock we were struck amidships, but below
the water line, by a wonderful sea monster, which nearly cut us in two."

"Did the ship sink?"

"She did almost directly afterward. I seized a chicken coop, and here I
am."

"A monster cut you in two!" exclaimed the captain, opening his eyes.
"What sort of a monster? Did you see it?"

"We did for a few minutes. It was black and long, like a gigantic eel,
and threw out phosphorescent light."

"Then there was something electric about it?" remarked the first mate.

"Undoubtedly."

"That's a strange yarn," observed the captain.

He took Dr. Homer Woddle, the Secretary of the Society for the
Exploration of the Unknown Parts of the World, into his cabin, gave him
dry clothes, and provided him with the best dinner the resources of the
ship could afford.

Mont had listened curiously to the conversation between Captain Savage
and the newcomer.

Taking Carl's arm, he said:

"That's a wonderful yarn of that fellow who has just come on board."

"Very."

"I don't know what to make of it, exactly. A fish is a fish, and unless
it has a big horn, it