e called to his companion,
who had been steering the raft, to put in his oar to help us. The
thought of the cause of his excitement flashed into my mind: he had seen
close to us a huge shark, which he dreaded every instant would seize our
legs. I had, I may say, less fear for myself than for Boxall, who was a
little behind me; and I had made but a few more strokes when Ben and the
Spaniard seized me by the hands, almost jerking off my arms as they
hoisted me on board. The moment my feet were on the raft, my first
impulse was to take my sword in my hand, ready to attack the shark
should it approach.

In a few seconds, greatly to my relief, I saw Boxall hauled up likewise.
Scarcely were his feet out of the water when the hideous monster made a
dash at the raft, his jaws closing on a projecting part of it, which
trembled with the blow. A stroke which I dealt with right good will at
its throat,--for a moment exposed to me as it turned on its back to
bite,--made it relinquish its hold; and it darted away.

Frail as was the structure on which we now found ourselves, we felt in
comparative safety; but the impulse which had been given to the raft
before the sail was lowered sent it dangerously near the big one.
Judging from the attitudes of the people on it, we could make out that
several were preparing to swim off to us; with the intention, in all
likelihood, of making us prisoners, and taking possession of the
provisions and water on the raft. On this Boxall called to Ben to work
one of the oars, and Halliday and I assisted the Spaniard at the other.
While we did our utmost to increase our distance from those whom we were
now compelled to look upon as our enemies, they were all shouting and
shrieking; some ordering us to come back, others entreating us not to
leave them.

As we had to pull against the wind, we made but slow progress; and at
length three of the boldest of the mutineers, urged by their
companions,--probably because they were good swimmers,--leaped into the
sea with their knives in their mouths, and made towards us. The attempt
was a mad one, as with our swords and axes we could easily have
prevented them from getting on our raft. As they evidently had not seen
the monster shark which had so nearly caught us, I shouted to them,
telling them of their danger, and advising them to go back; but,
believing that it was merely to prevent them from attacking us, they
disregarded my warning.

On they came, sw