Again it was on the point of Phil’s tongue to speak of the shadowy figure he thought he had seen, but again he restrained himself. He wasn’t going to be laughed at.
They had reached a rise of ground which overlooked the ocean, and as Steve glanced out toward the water he suddenly grabbed Phil’s arm and pointed.
“Look at that whale out there,” he cried. “And there’s another one.”
“Why there’s a whole school of them,” cried Tom, excitedly. “Say, I’m glad I lived to see this.”
“They seem to be all-fired excited about something too,” observed Steve. “I wonder what’s up.”
“A sword fish,” said Phil, beneath his breath. “He’s after them—attacking the whole bunch single-handed.”
Sure enough, following Phil’s pointed finger the boys saw a gigantic fish of peculiar shape flashing in and out among the whales attacking promiscuously. The water was lashed to a froth by the frantic efforts of the great mammals to get away from their tormentor and soon the surface of the water showed streaks of blood.
“My, he’s sure some fighter, that swordfish,” said Steve admiringly. “I’d hate to have him for an enemy.”
“Look,” cried Tom delightedly. “The whole bunch is making for deep water routed by one sharp-toothed fish. You have to hand it to him.”
They had started on again when suddenly they felt a sickening sensation, as if the earth were rocking beneath their feet. Then, before they could even guess what was happening to them there came a terrific upheaval that flung them from their feet.