A gigantic mass appeared close to the wretched diver.
It was a huge shark, which advanced diagonally toward him, his terrible jaws open wide.
The Indian threw himself on one side and avoided the bite of the shark, but not the action of his tail.
Mont thought he heard the jaws snap, but he had not much time to think, as he saw the diver thrown down by a blow of the animal's tail and stretched upon the ground.
All this was done in a few seconds, and then the shark returned, lying upon his back, in order the better to bite and divide the Indian in halves.
Mont was about to rush forward to attempt to save the miserable wretch's life, when he was pushed rudely back by Captain Vindex.
In his hand he held a knife, and was evidently prepared to battle for his life against the shark.
The latter, just about to seize the Indian and snap him up, perceived his new adversary and, replacing himself upon his belly, directed himself rapidly toward him.
He waited coolly the attack of the shark, which was one of the largest of its species, and when it charged him, he stepped quickly aside and plunged his knife into its belly up to the hilt.
Then commenced a fearful combat.