was yet a
considerable distance to cover ere he could reach safety.

Suddenly the leading fin disappeared, and the watchers knew that the
shark had dived, in order the better to seize its prey. Their warning
was roared over the water to him, but apparently too late, for with
their shout, Roger's body disappeared!

A cry of horror at once went up from the ship, and strong men turned
away, unwilling to witness the death of their favourite.

Those who still watched, however, almost immediately saw a tremendous
disturbance of the water just below the spot where Roger had
disappeared; and presently a broad blotch of red stained the blue water
of the inlet, while a deep groan went up from the assembled crowd on
deck. But the groan quickly changed to a mighty cheer as they saw
Roger's form appear again at some considerable distance nearer the ship,
and evidently safe and sound, for he was still swimming strongly. And
immediately after, in his rear, the body of the shark rose to the
surface, floating on its back, dead! The remainder of the sharks
instantly flung themselves upon the carcass, tearing it to pieces, and
churning up a bloody froth as they struggled and tore and fought for
their share of the spoil.

Roger had done the only thing possible to save his life. As the shark
dived, so did he, and, swimming below the brute, he had ripped up its
belly with several strong slashing blows from his keen dagger, thus
effectually ridding himself of one adversary, and trusting that the
remainder of the school would wait to devour it--as indeed they had
done,--thus giving him a further chance to escape.

He was now quite near the ship; but the sharks had quickly disposed of
the carcass of their companion, and were again after him. Roger,
however, was now within range. So, as the sharks came on in pursuit,
they were bombarded with every description of missile upon which the men
could lay their hands, a proceeding which checked them slightly, and
gave Roger a little more grace.

At length, utterly exhausted, the plucky lad reached the foot of the
accommodation ladder, but just in time, for, as he was pulled clear of
the water, a pair of huge jaws clashed behind him with a sound that made
him nearly faint, so suggestive was it of what he had so narrowly
escaped.

By the time that he reached the deck Harry had fully recovered, and he
was the first to grasp Roger's hand and wring it convulsively as the
latter stepped inbo