Page:Under Dewey at Manila.djvu/142

118 "He goes pretty well armed," remarked the missionary, as he looked the fish over with much interest.

"You'd think so if you'd see him attack a whale, as I've seen," replied Captain Ponsberry. "He makes a dive and a swish! and the first thing the whale knows he's got that saw right through his belly, and then the chances are he'll lose all interest in living; for if the first strike don't kill, the sawfish will be off before the whale can strike back, and he'll come on again, and there will be another ripping time. He's a fearful fighter, for all of his meek looks. When he gets into a school of small fish, he strikes our right and left with that saw, and after it's all over there will be dead fish everywhere. I once heard a learned professor say he was first cousin to the shark, and second cousin to the skate, a kind o' binding link betwixt the two."

"Is he good to eat?" questioned another of the passengers.

"Every fish is good to eat—if you like the taste of the meat," returned the captain, sagely. "As for me, I don't want any sawfish steaks, although I have tried 'em."

"I'm sure I don't want anything to eat from him," half whispered Larry, at which Striker laughed.