“A shark! A shark!” shouted the others, and Ted felt a thrill go through him.
“A shark, eh?” muttered Captain Oleson. “I’ll shark him! Give me that lance!”
A pole with a sharp iron point on the end was handed him. Then, all of a sudden, something seemed to hit the boat, which tipped to one side.
“Look out! He’s ramming us!” cried one of the men.
“Hold hard!” shouted the captain.
Ted was almost knocked down by the impact of the shark against the side of the boat. For the big “tiger of the sea” had bumped against the craft.
“Look out for the boy! Watch the boy! Don’t let him go overboard!” shouted Captain Oleson. “Let me get at the shark!”
He climbed over the seats to a place in the middle of the boat. Ted had sunk back on the pile of nets, but he wanted to see the shark caught, so he stood up again.
“Come here, lad, if you want to look,” invited Hungry Sven. He held out a rough hand to Ted, who, grasping it, made his way out of the bow.
“He’s gone!” cried one of the men, in disappointed tones.