The captain approached and stuck his dagger vertically between the shells to discourage any ideas about closing; then with his hands he raised the fringed, membrane-filled tunic that made up the animal's mantle.
El capitán se aproximó e introdujo su puñal entre las conchas para impedir que se cerraran; luego, con la mano, levantó la túnica membranosa con franjas en los bordes que formaban el manto del animal.