Over the smooth water the ripples flowed from the spot where Asgeelo had disappeared, extending in successive concentric circles, and radiating in long undulations far and wide. Louis and Frank waited in deep suspense. Asgeelo remained long beneath the water, but to them the time seemed frightful in its duration. Profound anxiety began to mingle with the suspense, for fear lest the faithful servant in his devotion had over-rated his powers--lest the disuse of his early practice had weakened his skill--lest the weight bound to his foot had dragged him down and kept him there forever. At last, when the suspense had become intolerable and the two had already begun to exchange glances almost of despair, a plash was heard, and Asgeelo emerged far to the right. He struck out strongly toward the boat, which was at once rowed toward him. In a few minutes he was taken in. He did not appear to be much exhausted. He had seen nothing. [Illustration: “A dark, sinewy arm emerged from beneath, armed with a long, keen knife.”] They then rowed about a hundred yards further, and Asgeelo prepared to descend once more. He squeezed the oil out of the sponge and renewed it again. But this time he took a knife in his hand. “What is that for?” asked Frank and Louis. “Sharks!” answered Cato, in a terrible tone. At this Louis and Frank exchanged glances. Could they let this devoted servant thus tempt so terrible a death? “Did you see any sharks?” asked Louis. “No, Sahib.” “Why do you fear them, then?” “I don’t fear them, Sahib.” “Why do you take this knife?” “One may come, Sahib.” After some hesitation Asgeelo was allowed to go. As before he plunged into the water, and remained underneath quite as long; but now they had become familiarized with his powers and the suspense was not so dreadful. At the expiration of the usual time he reappeared, and on being taken into the boat he again announced that he had seen nothing. They now rowed a hundred yards farther on in the same direction, toward the east, and Asgeelo made another descent. He came back with the same result. It began to grow discouraging, but Asgeelo was not yet fatigued, and they therefore determined to let him work as long as he was able. He went down seven times more. They still kept the boat on toward the east till the line of “needles” on the sand island had become thrown farther apart and stood at long distances. Asgeelo came up each time unsuccessful. He at last went down for the eleventh time. They were talking as usual, not expecting that he would reappear for some minutes, when suddenly a shout was heard, and Asgeelo’s head emerged from the water not more than twenty yards from the boat. He was swimming with one hand, and in the other he held an uplifted knife, which he occasionally brandished in the air and splashed in the water. Immediately the cause of this became manifest. Just behind him a sharp black fin appeared cutting the surface of the water.