Sentence:  The <WSD>Haye</WSD> doth not spawn like other fishes, nor lay eggs (as the tortoise does), but casts its young in the manner of quadrupeds. [¶]These fish do no manner of damage on the whole Gold Coast; but as Fida and Ardra, where the slave-trade is managed, they are extraordinarily ravenous, and in my opinion fiercer than the most voracious animal in the world. ... / [¶]When the <WSD>Haye</WSD> seizes his Prey, he is obliged to turn himself on his Back, because his mouth is placed far behind and low, wherefore he cannot come at any thing upwards. [¶]When we sometimes take one of these fish and haul him on board with a rope, we are always obliged to keep a distance; for besides his sharp teeth, he strikes with his tail, which is prodigiously strong, and whoever comes near him loses either an arm or a leg, or at least hath it broken to pieces. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  A shark (scaleless cartilaginous fish).