Trotting up the lonely shore of the creek for half a mile, they came to an aboideau, and crossed to the other shore of the stream. Following down the bank, they soon came opposite the Dido. The sharks were nowhere to be seen, and the Dido presently swung so near that a short plunge put them safely on board. Dressing hastily, they got up the anchor and sailed out of the creek with their bowsprit pointing homeward. As they did so the sharks appeared again, pursuing them. Will tied a piece of pork to a dry block, tossed it overboard, and snatched up his rifle. The bait floated a moment unmolested, then the nearest shark, darting upon it, turned over and engulfed it in his murderous mouth. At the same moment Will fired. The ball, with deadly precision, entered the brute’s mouth and pierced its brain. With a convulsive flurry it rolled over stone dead.
CHAPTER XII.
The Shot from the Rocks.
THE other shark, taking alarm, darted away at once.
“That’s a trophy we must secure!” exclaimed Reube. “You don’t have a chance to shoot a shark every day.”
Will was already noosing a couple of ropes. The Dido was brought alongside the rolling carcass, and after a great deal of difficulty the nooses were made fast to its head and tail. In the effort to hoist the heavy mass aboard the boat was nearly swamped; and at one time Will offered to give up the job. But Reube generously insisted on continuing. At last, by waiting till a wave rolled boat and carcass, together in just the most propitious way possible, the thing was accomplished with a sudden hoist. Along with the great fish a barrel or two of water came aboard; and while Reube steered, Will was kept busy for a half hour bailing the boat out.
This accomplished, Will discovered that the hot sun, the excitement, or possibly the motion of the boat, had given him a violent headache.
“O, it’s all very well, but you know you’re seasick,” gibed Reube, as he sat at the helm.
“Maybe so,” assented Will, undisturbed at the imputation. “Anyway, I’m going to lie down here under the shade of the mainsail to sleep it off. Even if I snore don’t wake me, as you value your life!”