deck, especially the verdure-crowned hills, and the valleys
green with the rich vegetation of the country.

If they could not go on shore, they could at least move about a little
in the boat, which would be some relief from the monotony of their
confined home. They got into the boat with a warning from Mr. Watts not
to go far from the schooner, and not to approach any other vessel, which
might have the yellow fever on board. Noddy sculled about on the smooth
water for a time, till it was nearly dark, and Mollie thought it was
time to return on board. As she spoke, she went forward and stood up in
the bow of the boat, ready to step upon the accommodation ladder.

"Noddy, do you see these great fishes in the water?" asked she.

"Yes, I see them."

"Do you know what they are?" continued she, as she turned to receive the
answer.

She was accustomed to boats, and her familiarity with them made her as
fearless as her companion.

"I never saw any like them before," replied Noddy, still sculling the
boat towards the Roebuck.

"What do you think they are?" added she, with one of those smiles which
children wear when they are conscious of being wiser than their
companions.

"I haven't any idea what they are; but they look ugly enough to be
snakes."

"I've seen lots of them before, and I know what they are. I like you
very well, Noddy; and I ask you, as a particular favor, not to fall
overboard," said she, with a smile, at what she regarded as a very
pretty joke.

"What are they, Mollie?"

"They are sharks, Noddy."

"Sharks!" exclaimed the boy, who had heard Ben tell awful stories about
the voracity of these terrible creatures.

"Yes, they are sharks, and big ones, too."

"Sit down, Mollie. I don't like to see you stand up there. You might
fall overboard," said Noddy, who actually shuddered as he recalled the
fearful stories he had heard about these savage fish.

"I'm not afraid. I'm just as safe here as I should be on board the
Roebuck. I've seen sharks before, and got used to them. I like to watch
them."

At that moment the boat struck upon something in the water, which might
have been a log, or one of the ravenous monsters, whose back fins could
be seen above the water, as they lay in wait for their prey. It was some
heavy body, and it instantly checked the progress of the boat, and the
sudden stoppage precipitated the poor girl over the bow into the sea.
Noddy's blood seemed to freeze in his veins as he r