gars are a terribly bloodthirsty lot. They think nothing
of knocking a man on the head, and eating him."

"Raw?" said Panton.

"No, no, they make a kind of stone oven, and roast him first."

"Oh, murder!" sighed Wriggs. "Just as if a man was a pig."

"Will you be silent, sir, and lie still? You too, Mr Lane, and that
man with you. What is the matter?"

"We're being dragged overboard, sir," grumbled Smith. "Got a whale, or
some'at o' that kind;" for Oliver was silent, his teeth were set, and he
had all his work to do holding on to the line.

"Don't speak and don't move more than you can help," whispered the mate.
"I want you all to lie here as if you were so much of the coral reef.
Now then, Smith, get your knife out and cut the line."

"What, and let that there critter go, sir? He's a fine 'un, maybe it's
salmon."

"Silence. Out with your knife."

"Can't, sir. If I let's go with one hand, it'll take Mr Lane out to
sea. It's all we can do to hold on."

"Mr Drew, you're nearest. Keep flat down and crawl to where you can
reach the line and cut it through."

Drew made no reply, but as he lay there flat on his face, he took out
his knife, opened it, and began to creep along the dozen yards or so
toward where Lane and Smith lay perspiring in the sunshine, now getting
a few moments' rest, now fighting hard to hold the great fish as it
tugged and dragged vigorously in its efforts to escape.

"Sims a pity, sims a pity," muttered Smith. "Better take a hold, too.
Phew! Look at that!"

For there was a tremendous whirlpool-like swirl in the disturbed water,
and a jerk that promised to dislocate their arms.

At the same moment Drew was reaching out to cut the line, but, just as
his blade touched the stout cord in front of Lane's hand, the tension
ceased.

"He's coming in shore to see who it is has got hold of the line,"
whispered Smith.

"No: gone. Broke away," said Lane, huskily, and then they lay
motionless, watching the on-coming canoe, as it rushed over the sea a
couple of hundred yards or so from where the great billows curled over
upon the coral reef. Now it would be plainly visible with the dancing
outrigger, upon which the nearly naked blacks were seated, riding up and
down as if upon a see-saw, now it would be hidden by a crest of
sparkling spray, which flew up as a larger wave than ordinary struck the
reef. The speed at which it was going was tremendous, and so clear was
the view at times