when the tide is full.  One of the horses was returning from an outing when there was a depth of about 3 feet on the sand-bank.  As it approached the beach a shark, apparently making out from the lagoon, was seen suddenly to change its course, and follow the horse at a discreet distance.  When only 50 yards from the beach the shark made an impetuous rush, and snapped at one of the horse’s forefeet.  The horse swerved, plunged and lashed out vigorously and with such excellent precision that the shark was kicked like a football out of the water.  It appeared to be 5 or 6 feet long, and to be quite satisfied that the horse, like a black, was not to be molested until it was past resistance.  The horse bore the marks of the affray on the pastern for weeks.

Again when a favourite dog jumped overboard from the boat in an eager but ridiculous venture after a “skipper,” a shark detected the dog and shadowed it.  As we went about to pick up the dog the dorsal fin of the shark indicated the wily, leisurely way in which it was keeping pace, reconnoitring and waiting until its prey was exhausted, while the dog did not appear to realise that a “frightful fiend” did close behind him swim.  As the boat approached, the shark swerved off flippantly, but hovered in the vicinity, unsatisfied as to the identity of the new and strange animal that had so unaccountably appeared in its natural element and as suddenly disappeared.  A rifle bullet, a little to the rear of the base of the dorsal fin, however, made it wobble and bustle away on a most eccentric route.

The term “skipper,” purely local, is intended to distinguish that singular fish, of the “long tom” (ZYLOSURUS, sp.) or alligator-pike, which shoots from the water and skips along by striking and flipping the surface with its tail, while keeping the rest of its pike-like body rigid and almost perpendicular.  Each stroke is accomplished by a ludicrous wriggling movement.  It would seem that by the impact of the tail upon the water the fish maintains its abnormal position and also sustains for a time its initial velocity.  For a hundred yards or so its speed is considerable, equal to the flight of a bird, but the length of each successive skip rapidly diminishes, as the original impulse is exhausted, and then the fish disappears as suddenly as it shot into view.  The “skipper” is an exceptionally supple fish.  It is excellent eating, probably the sweetest fish of these waters, and it is much appreciated by blacks, who call it by the pretty name of “Curram-ill,” and spear it whensoever chance affords.

GORGEOUS AND CURIOUS