we felt that the sea was comparatively warm; we struck
out for the shore, and, being the better swimmer of the two, I took the
lead.

But now to our horror we found that we were followed by sharks!

No sooner did we observe this than we struck out with all the energy of
terror. We never swam as we did on that occasion. It seemed to me
quite miraculous. The water burst from our breasts in foam, and we left
long white tracks behind us as we clove our way through the water like
two boats. It was awful. I shall never forget my feelings on that
occasion: they were indescribable--inconceivable!

We were about a quarter of a mile from a point of rocks when our ship
sank. In an incredibly short space of time we were close on the rocks.
Being several yards ahead of Jack, I was the first to clamber up, my
heart fluttering with fear, yet filled with deep gratitude for my
deliverance. I turned to help Jack. He was yet six yards from shore,
when a dreadful shark made a rush at him.

"Oh! quick! quick!" I screamed.

He was panting and straining like a lion. Another moment and his hand
would have been in mine, but at that moment I beheld the double rows of
horrid teeth close upon him. He uttered a piercing shriek, and there
was an indescribably horrible _scrunch_ as he went down. In a moment
after, he re-appeared, and making a last frightful effort to gain the
rocks, caught my hand. I dragged him out of danger instantly, and then
I found, to my unutterable joy, that the shark had only bitten off the
half of his wooden leg!

Embracing each other fervently, we sat down in the rocks to rest and
collect our thoughts.

STORY TWO, CHAPTER 7.

I have often found, from experience, that the more one tries to collect
one's thoughts, the more one's thoughts pertinaciously scatter
themselves abroad, almost beyond the possibility of discovery. Such was
the case with me, after escaping from the sea and the sharks, as related
circumstantially in the last chapter. Perhaps the truth of this may
best be illustrated by laying before my readers the dialogue that ensued
between me and Jack on the momentous occasion referred to, as follows:--

_Jack_. "I say, Bob, where in all the world have we got to?"

_Bob_. "Upon my word, I don't know."

_Jack_. "It's very mysterious."

_Bob_. "What's very mysterious?"

_Jack_. "Where we've got to. Can't you guess?"

_Bob_. "Certainly. Suppose I say Lapland?"

_Jack_. (Sha