The missile crashed into the monster’s nose, its most sensitive point. The brute was so near the surface that the thin sheet of water was no protection.
The effect was startling. There was a tremendous plunging and leaping that lashed the waters into foam, and then the crippled monster sank slowly into the ocean depths.
The next instant the ship’s boat had reached the castaway, and strong arms pulled him aboard, where he sank panting and exhausted across a thwart. 154
It had all happened with the speed of light. There was a moment of stunned surprise, a gasp from the crowd, and then a roar went up that swelled into a deafening thunder of applause.
Joe had reversed the baseball rule of “three strikes and out.” This time it was just one strike—and the shark was out!
CHAPTER XIX
BRAXTON JOINS THE PARTY
The passengers crowded around Joe in wild delight and exhilaration, reaching for his hand, pounding him on the back, vociferous in their praise and congratulations, until he was almost ready to pray to be rescued from his friends.