thoms, but for half an hour or more not a
shark could be distinguished; but as the waters far below seemed somehow
to be troubled I could not help believing that some of the brutes at
least were still there.

All at once, with a violent jerk, the cord was wrested from the
boatswain's hands; firmly attached, however, as it was to the raft, it
was not lost. The bait had been seized by a shark, and the iron had made
good its hold upon the creature's flesh.

"Now, then, my lads," cried the boatswain, "haul away!"

Passengers and sailors, one and all, put forth what strength they had
to drag the rope, but so violent were the creature's struggles that
it required all our efforts (and it is needless to say that they were
willing enough) to bring it to the surface, At length, after exertions
that almost exhausted us, the water became agitated by the violent
flappings of the tail and fins; and looking down I saw the huge carcase
of the shark writhing convulsively amidst waves that were stained with
blood.

"Steady! steady!" said the boatswain, as the head appeared above.

The whirl had passed right through the jaw into the middle of the
throat; so that no struggle on the part of the animal could possibly
release it. Dowlas seized his hatchet, ready to despatch the brute the
moment if should be landed on the raft. A short sharp snap was heard.
The shark had closed its jaws, and bitten through the wooden handle of
the hammer. Another moment and it had turned round and was completely
gone.

A howl of despair burst from all our lips. All the labour and the
patience, all had been in vain. Dowlas made a few more unsuccessful
attempts, but as the whirl was lost, and they had no means of replacing
it, there was no further room for hope. They did, indeed, lower some
cords twisted into running knots, but (as might have been expected)
these only slipped over, without holding, the slimy bodies of the
sharks. As a last resource the boatswain allowed his naked leg to
hang over the side of the raft; the monsters, however, were proof even
against this attraction.

Reduced once again to a gloomy despondency, all turned to their places,
to await the end that cannot now be long deferred.

Just as I moved away I heard the boatswain say to Curtis,--

"Captain, when shall we draw lots?"

The captain made no reply.

CHAPTER XLV.

JANUARY 16th.--If the crew of any passing vessel had caught sight of us
as we lay still and inanimate u