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46 Lion, to be instrumental in procuring him Prey, and warning him of Danger in Shoals, for which he receives Food, and Protection from the Shirk.

I shall give an Instance or two within my own knowledge, to shew the Boldness and Rapacity of this Fish.

The Weymouth's Barge rowing up Gambia River, a Shirk made to them, and notwithstanding the noise of so many Oars, seized one of them in his Mouth, and snapped it in two.

At Whydah, a very dangerous Coast to land at, having two Bars before it, and great Seas; a Canoo was going on shore from a Merchant-Ship with some Goods, and in attempting to land, overset: A Shirk nigh hand, seized upon one of the Men in the Water, and by the Swell of the Sea, they were both cast on shore ; notwithstanding which, the Shirk never quitted his hold, but with the next Ascend of the Sea, carried him clear off.

In short, their Voracity refuses nothing; Canvas, Ropeyarns, Bones, Blanketing, &c. I have seen them frequently seize a Corpse, as soon as it was committed to the Sea; tearing and devouring that, and the Hammock that shrouded it, without suffering it once to sink, tho' a great Weight of Ballast in it.

There are in the Bays of this River, variety of good Fish, that supplies the Scarcity