ot to be eatin' av a tough sailorman. Big
head, nothin' in it, as the sayin' is."

Andrews was standing near the rail and appeared much interested in the
diver's work. The fact that it had been interrupted angered him. His face
took on that hideous expression of ferocity I knew meant mischief, and a
string of the foulest oaths followed. He drew forth his pistol and raised
it slowly to a line with his eye on the shark's head, now just awash
under the frame a few feet distant.

"Crack!"

The bullet struck it fair on the crown where it was fully three feet
across the eyes. It smashed through, and the huge fish sank slowly under
the force of the stroke.

Then it suddenly recovered itself and tore the water into foam,
lashing out with its tail and turning over and over, snapping with its
great jaws.

"It is an unnecessary cruelty, Mr. Andrews," said Sackett, loudly. "Put
that weapon up. It is no use to kill to satisfy a murderous heart. The
fish would leave us in a few moments if it were fed."

"Watch the Lord's anointed feed it then," snarled the ruffian, with a
fierce oath. "Say a pater for its soul, for it's on its way to hell."

With that he fired again as the fish broached clear, and I must say one
could hardly help admiring his shooting. The heavy bullet struck within
an inch of the first, although the mark was now several fathoms distant
and thrashing about at a great rate.

The shark whirled round and started off, leaving a trail of blood which
showed like a dark cloud in its wake. In a moment it had disappeared.

"Don't swear so hard, my dear Mr. Andrews," cried Mr. Bell, in his high,
piping voice. "You'll scare all the fish."

Andrews coolly broke his pistol at the breech and tossed out the empty
shells. Then he reloaded it and handed it to the smiling, rosy-cheeked
third mate.

"You stand by and take care of things while I spell Bull England a bit,"
said he. "Journegan," he continued, calling to the English mate, "you
take the line for a while, and let that young fellow rest, while I try
her bilge aft."

He stripped off his shirt and stood in his trousers. When I saw him, I no
longer wondered why I had failed to overcome him in our first set-to. The
fellow was a perfect mass of muscle, and while I gazed at his strong
frame I wondered at the power in Trunnell's arms, which held us so tight
and saved me that first day on board.

He came out on the frame, and I made way for Journegan to take the line.