"Merciful heavens!" cried Aunt Amanda. "He's coming towards us! Oh dear!"
The great fish was in fact evidently making straight towards the raft. Freddie clutched Aunt Amanda's arm. The fin cut the water at a high speed; it disappeared at times, but on each reappearance it was still pointed towards the raft.
"He's nearly on us!" cried Aunt Amanda. "Hold on tight, Freddie!"
The great fish came on with a rush, and as he reached the raft struck it with his back and slid under it. There was a tremendous bump, which nearly sent
the company flat; then there was a rubbing under the raft, and everything was quiet again.
"He's gone," said Toby.
"No, 'e isn't," said Mr. Punch. "Look at 'is tail!"
A great tail could be seen beyond the edge of the raft, just below the surface of the water. It thrashed about and churned up the water violently for a few seconds, and then waved back and forth quietly; but it did not disappear.
"By crackey," said Toby, "he's stuck! His fin has got stuck into the bottom of the raft! He's got the whole kit and bilin' of us on his back!"
"Mercy on us!" said Aunt Amanda.