“He’s a little bit suspicious,” whispered Lester. “This is so much bigger than the others that it seems too good to be true.”
For several minutes the great fish kept up his circular movement, but the onlookers noticed that the circles were steadily growing smaller.
“He can’t resist it!” exulted Fred. “His judgment tells him he’d better not, but his appetite urges him on.”
“From what I know of sharks, I’ll wager that his appetite will win,” chuckled Lester.
Suddenly the shark seemed to reach a decision. Like a flash he darted toward the bait and it disappeared in his rapacious maw.
“Hurrah!” yelled Teddy in uncontrollable excitement. “He’s hooked at last!”
125CHAPTER XVI
A DESPERATE STRUGGLE
For a second after swallowing the bait the shark remained perfectly still. Then he darted away, only to be brought up with a round turn as he reached the end of the rope.
It half stunned him and wholly bewildered him. He did not know what had happened. He tried again, but with the same result.