er the
breakers of the inner bar, and appearing on the in-shore side of the
outer one. The great art appeared to be, to remain on the steep slope
of the outer sea-roller as it swept majestically on towards the land,
and then, just before it broke, to dive under it, and to reappear
mounting up the side of the following watery hill. Sometimes a lad
would keep above water too long, and the surf would roll him over, and
carry away his board; but he quickly recovered it, and soon regained his
credit. Shouts of laughter bursting forth on all sides when any such
mishap occurred, showed that there was little fear of damage. The women
and children kept generally on the inner bar, but were quite as expert
as the men. On mounting to the top of the rocks we saw two of the men
swim out beyond the rest, on the further side of the breakers. The
natives seemed to be watching them attentively. Soon one of them was
seen to dive, then the other. In a little time they both appeared,
flourishing their knives above their heads, and at the same moment two
huge black bodies floated to the surface, and were borne in by the
rollers towards the shore.

"What can they be?" I exclaimed to Jerry.

"Sharks," he answered, watching them. "Well, I should like to know how
to tackle to with one of these monsters. I own that I shouldn't much
like to have to fight one of them with a suit of armour on, and a spear
or battle-axe in my hand. I suspect even Saint George who killed the
dragon would have found it somewhat a tough job, and yet these naked
fellows make no difficulty about the matter."

"It is just what a man has been used to," I answered. "I daresay one of
them would be very unhappy with a suit of armour on and a battle-axe."

No surprise seemed to be created by the achievement, and the bold
swimmers took their places among the rest on the rollers as if nothing
had happened. When swimming out in this way, every man has a knife
secured to his board. As soon as he sees a shark, he swims away a short
distance. The shark approaches--he pretends to be very awkward.
Keeping his eye on the monster, who begins to fancy he has got a feast
prepared, he watches his time, and suddenly diving, sticks his sharp
weapon with all his might in the under part of the monster. Sometimes
the shark attempted to fly, but generally the blow is fatal, and he is
towed in triumph on shore.

After spending a day at Kailua, the capital of the island, where