“Sharks!” cried Don and Jem in a breath.
“Yes. Didn’t you know?”
“I’d forgotten all about the sharks, Jem,” said Don.
“So had I, my lad, or I dursen’t have swum for it as we did. Of course I thought about ’em at first starting, but I forgot all about ’em afterwards.”
“Jem,” said Don, shuddering; “what an escape!”
“Well, don’t get making a fuss about it now it’s all over, Mas’ Don. Here we are safe, but I must say you’re the wussest swimmer I ever met.—Here, what are they going to do?”
“Run ashore,” said the Englishman, as there was a buzz of excitement among the New Zealanders, many of whom stepped over into the shallow water, and seized the sides of the boat, which was rapidly run up the dark shore, where, amidst a low gobbling noise, the two wet passengers were landed to stand shivering with cold.
“There you are,” said the Englishman, “safe and sound.”
“Well, who said we weren’t?” grumbled Jem.
“Not you, squire,” continued the Englishman. “There; I don’t know anything about you, and you’d better lie close till the ship’s gone, for they may come after you.”