LESSON XV.
aft, near the stern of a ship.
anch'or, a large iron for holding a ship.
aimed, directed or pointed at, as a gun.
car'tridge, a small case containing powder and ball.
mood, state of mind; temper.
sul'try, very hot.
cleav'ing, cutting through; dividing.
dis cov'ered, found out; seen clearly.
buoys, floats, made of wood, hollow iron, or copper.
re sults', what follows an act.
AN ADVENTURE WITH A SHARK.
Our noble ship lay at anchor in the Bay of Tangiers, a town in the north-west part of Africa.
The day had been very mild, with a gentle breeze sweeping to the northward and westward. Toward the close of the day the sea-breeze died away, and hot, sultry breathings came from the great, sunburnt desert of Sahara.
Half an hour before sundown, the captain gave the cheering order to call the hands to "go in swimming"; and, in less than five minutes, the forms of our sailors were seen leaping from the arms of the lower yards into the water.
One of the sails, with its corners fastened from the main yard-arm and the swinging boom, had been lowered into the water, and into this most of the swimmers made their way.
Among those who seemed to be enjoying the sport most heartily were two boys, one of whom was the son of our old gunner; and, in a laughing mood, they started out from the sail on a race.