I slip behind the coral tree, and wait; but he is a stupid beast, the shark, and knows not what to do when I come not out.
So up I quickly climb through the branches, with care not to tangle the rope; he still looking for me at the spot where first he saw me.

I gain the top, and with a few pulls of my good Rento on the rope, I am in the boat, and Sir Shark is snapping his teeth alone, very hungry, but not invited to dinner." "Do you think he was stronger than you ?" asked the little boy.

"You're very strong, aren't you?
I should think you were as strong as sharks, and 'most as strong as whales." The Skipper laughed.

"Sir Shark is ten times so strong as any man, let him be of the best, my friend; but he has not the strength of head, you understand; that makes the difference.

And you, could you do that, too?
Could you keep yourself from fear, when the sea-creatures come about you, if you should ever be a sailor?
What think you ?" The child pondered.
"I think I could!" he said at last.
"I never saw any such things, of course, but I'm not afraid of anything that I know about, here on shore.