“What do we care how long it takes us to get there!” gloated Teddy. “We have all the time there is and I don’t care whether it takes us two hours or ten. We’ll have something to show the natives when we do get there.”
“Oh, they’ve seen plenty of sharks,” said Lester. “But I don’t think they’ve often clapped eyes on one as big as this.”
“After we reach Milton, how are we going to get the shark ashore?” persisted Bill.
“Oh, that will be no trick at all,” was the answer. “The beach shelves out gradually there and I can take the Ariel pretty close in. Then you fellows 131 can tumble overboard and wade in, dragging the shark with you. We couldn’t lift him, but it will be easy enough to drag him up on the sand.”
“I’m anxious to get close to him so that I can study him,” said Fred.
“You might have been nearer to one than you liked the day you went over after Ross,” laughed Bill.
“Yes,” admitted Fred, “he’d have had the laugh on me then. But they laugh best who laugh last.”
“And we’re laughing last, all right,” declared Lester.
“Thanks to your good arm and the old harpoon,” added Bill.
“We have with us to-day, gentlemen,” said Teddy, assuming the air and tone of a professional introducer, “two renowned throwers. Indeed, I may say three.