Dudley laughed, for the scene was very comical. He clambered on to the rail, and leaned over, holding all the while to a halyard. Then, of a sudden, he became pale, his eyes opened wide, and he shouted with consternation. His eye had caught the flicker of a passing shadow down in the depths, a shadow which had rapidly enlarged and become brighter, till it developed into a long, silvery streak, getting broader every moment as the monster shark, for such it was, turned over preparatory to seizing its prey. It swirled across the few yards between it and the swimmers, selected one, and rushed open-mouthed at him. A second later, while the passengers above shrieked in consternation, the cruel beast had seized Mr. Blunt by the elbow and was endeavoring to back away, while the victim, suddenly realizing his precarious condition, snatched at the hanging bow of the boat, and clung there for life.
Dudley did not hesitate. He flung the stick behind him, took one swift glance below, and then leaped at the monster, hoping to strike him as he fell, or to frighten him by the splash he made. It was madness, perhaps, to make such an attempt. It was endangering his own life for that of a friend. But he had a warm heart and a brave one, and, moreover, he felt that he already owed Mr. Blunt a debt of gratitude. He could not stand there and see him dragged down beneath the surface. He must make an effort for him, and with that gallant resolve he plunged into the water.
CHAPTER III
THE HOME ON THE PAMPAS
Shouts of excitement, the shrill falsetto of one of the lady passengers shrieking in her fright, and loud cries of encouragement accompanied Dudley as he sprang into the sea, and were cut off abruptly as the water closed over his head. A burly sailor, barefooted and with dripping hands, leaped on to the rail, and clambered out on to the stern of the dangling boat, from which point of vantage he stared down at Mr. Blunt as he struggled with the shark, and deep and bitter words escaped his bearded lips in his excitement. Then a stout little passenger, with florid countenance and remarkably bald head, followed him on to the rail, and for an instant appeared as if he would leap after the young fellow. The intention was there, the fire of youth was in his eye, and no doubt this stout little man had, in his young days, been capable of a rescue. But he was too stout now, and he knew it. He paused, held back, and then shouted like a maniac. Behind him the other passengers crowded, till a voice ordered them to stand aside.
"Stand away, gentlemen, please" came from the captain in stern tones. "Allow this man to pass. Now, lads, sling him over, and, Tom, make good use of that boat-hook."
Quick as lightning a sailor thrust his way through the throng, clambered over the rail, and let himself go, four of his comrades lowering him hurriedly by means of a stout rope till he was close to the water and within reach of the struggle. Meanwhile Dudley had struck out, had reached the surface, and had looked round for Mr. Blunt and the shark. Hardly half a minute had passed since he leaped from the rail, but in that short space of time he had decided on his course of action, though when he plunged into the water he had no idea what course to pursue. Then, like a flash, he remembered reading in some book about sharks, and of how natives in some odd corner of the world were in the habit of attacking them.
"A shark is helpless if you can tear his tail," he said to himself. "I recollect the natives did it with their teeth. I'll try."
Treading water for an instant, he saw the long, ugly snout of the monster close to Mr. Blunt's shoulder, he noticed the crimson streaks which now dyed the sea, and also how the dangling boat swayed as the man clung desperately to it. Then he drew in a big breath, dived beneath the surface, and struck out for the tail of the giant fish, easily seen at that distance. It was still for the moment, the monster simply retaining its hold and clinging to Mr. Blunt's arm. Dudley darted towards it, seized it between both hands, and pulled with all his strength, only to find that his hands slipped from the surface, and to receive a blow from the tail which beat him off promptly. But he was returning to the attack within an instant, and knowing that there was no time to be lost, he gripped at the tail again, dug his fingers into the slippery surface, and a second later had buried his teeth in the centre of the very extremity. Ah! This was different. He had a firm hold this time, and though the beast made frantic efforts to throw him off he clung to the tail, and with a sudden movement of both arms and of his teeth ripped it from end to end. Not till then did he let go his hold, to rise, gasping, to the surface a moment later.
What a shout greeted him! Hoarse roars of excitement, bravoes, and the hysterical shrieks of the lady passenger fell on his ears.