"The line will go at the first struggle it makes," replied the mate, "and there is no danger. A splashing is the worst thing that can happen. Let him do as he likes." "What's the matter? What are you whispering about?" "I was just thinking of cutting loose," said the doctor, taking out a knife. "No, no; let it be," cried Jack. "Look here; we are nearly over it, and you can see how it tows us along by just gently waving its tail. Pull, Mr Bartlett; both of you pull." _Bang_! At the fresh tightening of the line, which drew the bows of the boat partly over the fish, there was a tremendous blow delivered on the side, accompanied by a shower of spray, a violent ebullition which rocked them to and fro. Then the line hung slack, and the last fathom was drawn on board by the sailor, while the mate went down on his knees and examined the slight planking of the boat to make sure that it was not stove in. "Oh!" groaned Edward; "look at that!" "Any damage, Bartlett?" said the doctor hastily. "No; but I was a little startled. What enormous power these creatures have in their tails!" Jack laid down the boat-hook, looking rather serious. "What would have happened," he said, "if the shark had made a hole in the boat?" "All depends on the size," said the mate, laughing. "If it had been very small we might have plugged it with our jackets till we managed to row back, or the skipper, seeing we were in distress, sent another boat after us. If it had been a very large hole we should have had to hold on to the gunwale outside all round, for she wouldn't have sunk, and then again the captain would have sent a boat to pick us up, if he sent in time." "What do you mean by in time?" asked the lad rather huskily. "Before the sharks had pulled us all under, and there was no one left to pick up." Edward turned sallow, and looked at the speaker in dismay. "Are you saying that to frighten me?" asked Jack. "No, I don't make jokes about such things as that, sir," said the mate quietly. "I ought to have known better than to run such a risk, but I did not imagine that a shark could strike such a tremendous blow." "It was my fault," said Jack quickly. "I wanted to see how far it would drag us before the line broke." "And the sharks would have picked us all off," said the doctor thoughtfully. "Humph! Not a very pleasant look-out. There's a deal of trouble and disappointment in the world; eh, Jack? Especially in fishing." "Yes, I suppose so," replied the lad, looking at the speaker curiously. "But take it altogether, it's a very grand and glorious place, and full of wonders for those who like to use their eyes. I don't think I should have liked for our voyage to have been brought to a sudden end like that, eh?" "No; it is too horrible to think of," said the lad with a shudder, and he cast a wistful look around him at the silver-looking sea, and the white yacht standing up apparently at the top of a slope.