frica."

He accordingly jumped upon the middle seat of the yawl, where, in spite
of all attempts at dissuasion, he stood watching a favourable
opportunity for a thrust. This was soon presented. All unconscious of
the unfriendly designs cherished against him, the shark came propelling
himself carelessly alongside, and directly under Max's nose, with his
back fin quite above water. The temptation was not to be resisted. Max
braced himself as firmly as possible in his position: Arthur
expostulated, and begged him at least to get down and stand in the boat:
Morton exhorted him to caution. But he only answered by a wave of the
hand and a grim smile; then requesting Browne to lay fast hold of his
waist-band, to assist him in preserving the centre of gravity, he raised
his weapon in both hands, and giving it a preliminary flourish, brought
it down with his full force, aiming at the broadest part of the fish's
back, just forward of the dorsal fin. But the weapon was too dull, or
the blow too feeble, to pierce the tough hide of the "sea-attorney," for
it glanced smoothly off and Max losing his balance, went headlong into
the sea. Browne, in a hasty effort to save him came near going over
also, while the boat careened until the water poured in over the
gunwale, and for a moment there was imminent danger of capsizing. Max
came to the surface, almost paralysed with fright, and clutched
convulsively at the side of the boat; when we drew him on board
unharmed, but pale and shivering, as he well might be, after so
extraordinary an escape. The shark had disappeared, and was now nowhere
to be seen. Not being accustomed to Max's system of "carrying the war
into Africa," so sudden and headlong an attack in his own element had
probably somewhat disconcerted him. Max made a great effort to assume
an air of composure. "Well!" said he, looking coolly around, "the enemy
has, I perceive, beaten a retreat. I dare say he was quite as much
frightened as I was, and that is saying a good deal."

"But what has become of that patent shark-exterminator!" observed
Browne, "I don't see it anywhere: has the enemy carried it off as a
trophy of victory, as conquering knights take possession of the arms of
their vanquished adversaries!"

"It is much more likely," replied Max with disdain, "that he has carried
it off stuck fast in his carcass."

But neither supposition proved to be correct, for we presently picked up
the "exterminator," float