h had been renewed, went
off again with a dart.

"Look at that," cried the captain. "Never mind, he's not going to get
away. We'll have him yet."

"We seem to be getting a long way from the schooner," I heard the doctor
say, and I turned round upon him quite angrily.

"Oh!" I cried, "don't stop. We nearly had him that time."

"Well, you shall have another try, my boy," said the captain. "Pull
away."

We were going pretty fast all the time, and again and again we drew
near, but always to be disappointed, and I stamped my foot with anger,
as, every time, the brute darted off, leaving us easily behind.

"Better let me have the lance, Joe," said the doctor smiling.

"No, no," I cried. "I must have a try now."

"Let him be," growled the captain; "nobody couldn't have lanced him if
he'd tried. Now look out, lad! Steady, boys! In oars! Let's go up
more softly. That's the style. We shall have him this time. Now you
have him, lad; give it him--deep."

All these words came in a low tone of voice as the boat glided nearer
and nearer to where the shark was swimming slowly and wavering to and
fro, and in my excitement I drew back, raising the lance high, and just
as the monster was about to dash off in a fresh direction I threw myself
forward, driving the point of the lance right into the soft flesh,
forgetful of my instructions about a sharp thrust and return, for the
keen lance point must have gone right through, and before I realised
what was the matter I was snatched out of the boat; there was a splash,
the noise of water thundering, a strangling sensation in my nostrils and
throat, and I was being carried down with a fierce rush into the depths
of the sea.

CHAPTER FOUR.

HOW I WAS NOT DROWNED, AND HOW WE CHASED THAT SCHOONER.

I don't remember much about that dive, except that the water made a
great deal of noise in my ears, for the next thing that occurred seemed
to be that I was lying on my back, with the back of my neck aching,
while the doctor was pumping my arms up and down in a remarkably curious
manner.

"What's the matter?" I said quickly; and then again in a sharp angry
voice, "Be quiet, will you? Don't!"

"Are you better, young 'un?" said the captain, who seemed to be swollen
and clumsy looking.

"Better? Here!" I cried as a flash of recollection came back, "where's
the shark?"

"Floating alongside," said the doctor, wiping the great drops of
perspiration from his forehead.