While the shark was twisting and turning to get at its adversary, Jack managed to give a second stab; but it was rather hot work, though, for Jack was obliged to dive so frequently that he had little time to recover his breath.
He was just endeavouring to do so, when the shark made another rush at him.
Old Jack dived again, and young Jack would have been over to his father's assistance had not Joe Basalt forcibly restrained him.
A third stab made the shark feel very queer indeed.
In fact, Harkaway thought the fish was done for, and had struck out for the ship, but just as he grasped a rope and permitted himself to be drawn up, the shark recovered and made another most vicious dart at him.
Our hero, who had, in his time, vanquished so many foes, felt hardly inclined to let a shark get the best of him. He dropped from the rope and sank beneath the waves just as the head of the brute emerged therefrom.
Then up again like a shot; and the keen cutlass tore its way through the vitals of the fish.
Then a fin was lopped off, and a few seconds afterwards the huge carcase was seen floating on the waves.
Harkaway seized the rope and fastened it round the head and tail of his vanquished foe, which was then hauled on deck.
"Bravo, old man," exclaimed Harvey, shaking his schoolfellow by the hand.