We now saw the shark quite distinctly swimming round and round us, its sharp fin every now and then protruding above the water.

From its active and unsteady motions, Jack knew it was making up its mind to attack us, so he urged us vehemently to paddle for our lives, while he himself set us the example.

Suddenly he shouted "Look out!--there he comes!" and in a second we saw the monstrous fish dive close under us, and turn half over on his side.

But we all made a great commotion with our paddles, which no doubt frightened it away for that time, as we saw it immediately after circling round us as before.
"Throw the fish to him," cried Jack, in a quick, suppressed voice; "we'll make the shore in time yet if we can keep him off for a few minutes." Peterkin stopped one instant to obey the command, and then plied his paddle again with all his might.

No sooner had the fish fallen on the water than we observed the shark to sink.