More than once I resolved to cast myself into the sea and, knife in hand, to do battle with the ferocious monster that awaited me. 'Twould be victory or death, and even in the latter case it would the sooner end my prolonged torments. Yet, as I looked at the glistening white monster, with its huge mouth armed with serrated rows of sharp teeth, I could not force myself to take the desperate step.
"Ahoy!"
Surely my ears deceived me, or did I hear the faint sound of a hail? Looking round I saw, to my inexpressible joy and relief, a boat making towards the shoal. It was the same craft that I had seen taking soundings in the channel that morning.
Under the powerful strokes of the rowers the boat dashed to my rescue, the foam hissing at her bows as her sharp stem cleft the water.
Then everything began to grow dim; I heard the report of a musket, and was barely conscious of the shark quivering on the surface of the water, with shattered jaws. Strong arms bore me to the boat, and directly I felt myself placed on the bottom boards a white mist swam before my eyes, and I lost consciousness.
* * * * *
When I came to myself I was lying on my bunk in the cabin of the Golden Hope. Captain Jeremy, his head swathed in bandages, was sitting an a chair, with a chart spread out on the table in front of him. This surprised me not a little, for when I had last seen him he was lying weak and helpless.
I tried to raise myself on my elbow, but the task was beyond my power. Seeing this, Captain Jeremy got up and, coming over to my bed, gave me something to drink.
"That's better," he exclaimed encouragingly. "Now try to rest awhile."
"But, sir," said I, so feebly that I could scarce realize 'twas my own voice, "how do I come to be here? Ah! I remember," and I shuddered at the thought of my harrowing adventures.