the gig reached the shoal, and then
instantaneously the surface became calm.

"Plenty of work for you, Mark," said the captain. "You will have to be
head of our fishing department, and keep our little colony supplied."

"You must get Small to help you make a net," said Gregory, "and contrive
some long lines."

They ceased rowing, for they were now opposite a spot where the jungle
came close to the edge of the lagoon, being only separated by a smooth
patch of sand. Here, too, were quite a flock of the maleo birds,
scratching and searching for food, after the fashion of fowl; but as the
boat stopped they took alarm, and seemed to skim over the sand, their
feet striking the ground so rapidly as to become invisible.

"They can run," said the mate; "but we seem to have learned their
secret. What's that?"

All listened, but there was no sound.

"I fancied I heard a low distant roaring noise," said the mate, dipping
his oar again, "but I may have been mistaken."

The captain was in the act of dipping his own oar when Billy Widgeon,
who was seated just in front of Mark, whose place was right astern,
turned sharply and caught the lad's arm:

"Look, Mr Mark, sir, look!" he cried, pointing with his other hand,
"there he goes!"

"Who?" cried Mark excitedly; "a savage?"

"Yes, sir," said Billy, grinning and holding Bruff, "savage enough.
Nay, nay, my lad, you lie down. It wouldn't do you no good to go
overboard now."

"A large one, too," said the captain, resting on his oar.

"Ay, he's a nasty customer," said the mate.

"What is?" cried Mark eagerly. "What is it you can all see?"

"Shark!" said the captain.

"Where? Where? I want to see a shark."

Mark's eyes were roving all about, but he saw nothing in any direction
save a little dark triangular piece of something, with the forward side
a little curved, and this was moving slowly through the water.

"There, my lad, there," said the captain; "can't you see his back fin?"

"Is that a shark?" said Mark, in a disappointed tone, as the black
object, looking like the thick lateen sail of some tiny invisible boat,
glided along the surface not fifty yards away, and making as if to cross
their bows.

"Yes," said the captain, "that's the fin of a shark, ten-feet long I
should say."

"And I a dozen," said the mate.

"Like to see him a little closer?" said the captain.

"Yes," cried Mark eagerly; and then he wished he had said "No," for the
oars were, after