"Throw him a rope," said the captain; and Guert quickly had the help of Vine and another sailor.
"Quick!" said Guert. "Don't let the sharks get him. I'd give anything to save a man from them!"
"He's caught the rope," replied Vine. "Haul him in! We've got him."
Close behind him, or rather under him, as he came dripping over the rail, was a huge pair of snapping jaws that barely missed him. He fell, at first, and then his rescuers themselves were astonished. He did not say a word to them, but dropped at once upon his knees, and began to pour out thanks to the Virgin Mary, like a good Catholic.
A NARROW ESCAPE.
"As he came over the rail, a huge pair of jaws barely missed him.
"Let him," said Sam Prentice. "Some o' these cutthroats are awful pious."
"Yes," said Guert, "but he is praying in Dutch, and he mixes it up with English. I can't tell what he is."
"There she goes!" shouted a dozen voices at that moment, and all turned to look.