"It's a shark," his uncle told him.
"I've been watching him for some time, and that's what I thought it was. He must be a pretty good sized one."
"Yes, they get pretty large down this way and pretty ugly too."
"Well, I hate to fall overboard just now," Jack shuddered. "Do they often follow boats that way?" he asked.
"It's not unusual," his uncle told him. "Probably someone threw over something he could eat and he's hoping he'll do it again. I've known one to follow a ship for more than a day. How'd you like to catch him?"
"Could we?"
Both boys asked the question at the same time.
"If we've got a shark hook aboard we can have a try at him," Mr. Lakewood said as he arose. "You keep your eye on him and I'll go see if I can find one, Ole ought to have some."
"Talk about fishing," Bob said as his uncle left them.
"Wonder what kind of a rod you use," Jack mused.