good prize fighter in
his day. Coming out on the frame, he had the line stopped around his
waist and then started at the fore rigging to go under the ship to the
other side.

Nearly all hands came to the rail to watch him, although the water was
knee deep on the deck at this point. He dived gracefully under the side,
and as the bubbles disappeared I could see him going like a fish beneath
the shimmering copper, which gave forth a greenish light in the sunshine.
The line was payed out fast, and in a few moments he arose to port none
the worse for the trip.

Nothing came of this, as he was too much taken up with the endeavor to go
clear to see anything. His next trip was a fathom or so further aft, and
this time he saw nothing save a very foul bottom. After taking a rest and
a nip of grog he started again, going more slowly as he gained
confidence.

Six trips tired him greatly in spite of his strength, and he sat for some
minutes upon the frame before making his plunge. Then he stood up and
dived again.

I could see him swimming down, down, down under the ship's bilge, growing
to a faint brownish yellow speck which wavered and shook with the
refraction of the disturbed surface. Then while I looked the line
slacked, and the brownish yellow object beneath wavered into a larger
size. Evidently he was coming up and had failed to make the five fathoms
necessary to go clear of the keel. I hauled in the line rapidly, for I
knew that he must be exhausted to give it up so soon. The wavering brown
spot grew quickly in size, and in a moment, outlined upon it, I made out
the figure of England straining away for the surface. I hauled
frantically to aid him, and the next moment he broke water and was landed
upon the frame, while the great brown object beneath rose right behind
him, and took the form of a tremendous hammer-headed shark. It came up in
an instant and broached clear of the water at least three feet, but
failed to reach the frame where Bull England clung panting and gasping
for breath.

"I reckon I've had me dose this time," said he, between his gasps; "I
almost swam down the feller's throat. I ain't exactly skeered, but I'm
too tired to try agin this afternoon, so if any one wants me place on the
end o' this line, he can take it while I rests."

"Faith," said Chips, "if ye ain't skeered ye'll be so fast enough if ye
go in agin. Look at th' monster! Did ye iver see sech a head? Wan would
think he had sense enough n