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. In another second
we saw its white breast rising; for sharks always turn over on
their sides when about to seize their prey, their mouths being not
at the point of their heads like those of other fish, but, as it
were, under their chins. In another moment his snout rose above
the water, - his wide jaws, armed with a terrific double row of
teeth, appeared. The dead fish was engulfed, and the shark sank
out of sight. But Jack was mistaken in supposing that it would be
satisfied. In a very few minutes it returned to us, and its quick
motions led us to fear that it would attack us at once.

"Stop paddling," cried Jack suddenly. "I see it coming up behind
us. Now, obey my orders quickly. Our lives may depend on it