Decidedly he must be getting higher.
Presently a great black mass appeared at his side.
He could see that it was a ferocious shark, whose huge mouth seemed capable of engulfing him.
Instinctively he threw himself on his back.
The voracious creature had made a dart at him, but shot past, disappointed of its prey.
If it had seized his arm or his leg, or even his head, one snap of its mouth would have been sufficient to cut off either.
As the animal swam around him Mont pointed his gun and fired.
The shot entered its stomach, but was not mortal.
Another and another followed, and at last the vast mass floated slowly upward, showing that it was dead.
Thanking Providence for this narrow escape, and congratulating himself on his presence of mind, our hero continued the ascent.