Just as the shark reached the place, he made a dive, and the rope parted!
Mrs. Bushnell screamed a word or two of the terror that had seized her. Ezra looked up, amazed to find the rope coming in so readily, hand over hand. He cast it down, sprang to the boat, and pushed off to the possible rescue, only to find that the Turtle was making for the river-bank instead of the island.
He rowed to the spot. His brother, for the first time in his life, was overcome with disappointment and disinclined to talk.
“I—I,” said David, wiping his forehead. “I grew tired, and made for shore. The tide was taking me up fast.”
“Did you let go the line?” questioned Ezra.
“Yes.”
“The pump works all right, then?”
“Yes.”
“You’ve frightened mother terribly.”