Suddenly the splashing was resumed. John and the shark both disappeared from sight as the water was thrown up in all directions around them.
“What’s happened, Grant? I’m afraid to look.”
“I think he drove him off.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. There he is. He scared him away again.”
“He can’t keep that up forever, though,” moaned Fred. “He must be getting pretty nearly exhausted by now.”
“Look!” cried Grant suddenly. “Here comes Sam.”
Running towards them at top speed and throwing off his clothes as he ran came Sam. In his teeth was the long knife he had made so laboriously and spent so many hours to sharpen.
“What’s he going to do?” cried Fred in wonderment. “Where are you going, Sam?” he called as the negro came up to the spot where the two boys stood.
“Ah’ll get ’im,” muttered Sam, and without waiting for another thing he plunged headlong into the water. A moment later he reappeared, the knife still in his mouth, and with powerful strokes struck out for John and the hungry giant that threatened him.