four boys looked at one another in consternation and much of their joy
at the sight of land was taken away by the recollection of the tragic
end of their shipmate Petersen. Sam, however, seemed entirely
unconscious of having said anything out of the way. His face was
wreathed in smiles and showed nothing but satisfaction, now that he was
separated from Petersen. If any doubt had still lingered in the boys'
minds as to Sam's sincerity that doubt was now dispelled. There was no
question at all that the negro recalled nothing of his tragic deed.

"What's de mattah wid you gentlemen?" demanded Sam, noticing the strange
behavior of the four young sailors.

"Nothing at all," said Grant quickly.

"Let's row for shore," exclaimed John, doing his best to change the
subject.

"That's what I say," agreed George, who had now picked himself up and
had taken hold of his oar once again. "I want to feel some good old
earth under my feet for a change."

"That's right," said Grant. "Let's not waste any time."

They dug their oars into the water and with renewed energy set out for
the distant shore. Now and again they turned around and looked ahead in
an effort to discover the character of the land they were approaching.
It was still far away, however, and not much idea could be had of it.

"It's an island all right," said John confidently.

"Probably," agreed Grant. "I don't think we were very near the mainland
when the _Josephine_ burned."

"Look there," cried Fred all at once. "Look back of the boat there."

Every one immediately stopped rowing and craned his neck to see what
Fred was pointing out.

"What is it, Fred?" demanded George. "What do you see?"

"Don't you see that fin?"

"Dat Finn!" exclaimed Sam. "Where dat Finn?"

"Not the one you mean," said Fred, smiling in spite of his evident
excitement. "I mean the fin of a fish."

"I see it," cried John suddenly. "What is it?"

"What is it," repeated Fred. "Don't you know?"

"A shark?"

"Of course it is," said Fred. "It must be a whopper, too."

Every one else saw the fin now and involuntarily a shiver passed over
most of those on the little boat. The great black fin sailed easily and
steadily along, just cutting the top of the water. Gruesome and
forbidding it looked and straightway recalled to the minds of the four
boys the stories they had so often heard of the hordes of man-eating
sharks that infested the waters of the West Indies.

"There's another," c