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.

"Won't try any more fishing to-day, will you?"

"No. Let's row back now, and come another time with one of the big
boats, stronger lines, and a lance."

"Oh, then you haven't had enough of it?" said the doctor.

"Enough? No. I want to catch some of those fish, and have a try if we
cannot kill one of these sharks. My father would like the adventure
too, I'm sure."

"Well, yes, I'm thinking he would," said the doctor, looking quietly at
his young companion as if he were studying him. "What do you say to
another try to-morrow? I think I should like to have another turn."

"I hope we shall be at the island to-morrow," replied Jack, as the
doctor followed the mate back to the stern sheets. "But the first time
there is an opportunity."

He seated himself on the fore thwart a