disappeared, and the attempt was vain. As yet, however, the monster
had shown no intention of attacking either boats or people.

At this moment Mr. Ward returned and I interrupted my reading to say,
"There seems as yet no reason to complain of this sea-serpent. It
flees before big ships. It does not pursue little ones. Feeling and
intelligence are not very strong in fishes."

"Yet their emotions exist, Strock, and if strongly aroused--"

"But, Mr. Ward, the beast seems not at all dangerous. One of two
things will happen. Either it will presently quit these coasts, or
finally it will be captured and we shall be able to study it at our
leisure here in the museum of Washington."

"And if it is not a marine animal?" asked Mr. Ward.

"What else can it be?" I protested in surprise.

"Finish your reading," said Mr. Ward.

I did so; and found that in the second part of the report, my chief
had underlined some passages in red pencil.

For some time no one had doubted that this was an animal; and that,
if it were vigorously pursued, it would at last be driven from our
shores. But a change of opinion had come about. People began to ask
if, instead of a fish, this were not some new and remarkable kind of
boat.