108 SPORT IN NORTH AMERICA. 



suddenly, he uttered a cry of terror. I turned 

 round, and judge my surprise when I perceived 

 within a few yards of us — between the sand-bank 

 and myself — an enormous shark, swimming towards 

 us with the greatest rapidity. 



" Give me my harpoon," I cried to Cain ; " don^t 

 leave me for a moment." 



"O Lor!" cried Cain, "here's another shark on 

 the other side." 



On turning round, guess my consternation at 

 perceiving that instead of two there were three 

 sharks, cruising round as if they had made a 

 solemn compact of partnership. No doubt it was 

 the presence of Cain and of the bait for the fish 

 that had attracted the monsters. " If these sharks 

 attack us," said I, "we are lost; let us be bold, 

 and we may escape." I gave my orders to Cain 

 and advanced, with my harpoon, against the first 

 shark, which I struck sharply on the head, at the 

 same time holloaing loudly, my voice being accom- 

 panied by Cain's, who was nearly wild with terror. 

 This plan succeeded ; for the sharks swam ofi" into 

 the deep waters, and we regained the coast without 

 ever looking behind us. 



