178 ATTACK OF SHARKS ON A BOAT. 



her; the others, twenty- two in number, were left struggling 

 with the quiet deep, for the squall had passed, and the sky 

 and the sea were again tranquil. It was now discovered 

 that the boat had drifted from the vessel, and floated. A 

 rush was made towards her, and several of the men at- 

 tempted to get into her on the same side. The consequence 

 was that she became half full of water, upset, rolled over and 

 over, and at length lay with her keel upwards. Some got 

 across her keel, others supported themselves by holding on 

 to her with their hands, and thus all were for a time safe. 



Mr. Smith now reminded the crew that it was impossible 

 for them to remain long in this predicament, and exhorted 

 them to right the boat and bale the water from her. He 

 was immediately attended to ; the men on the keel relin- 

 quished their seats, the boat was turned over, and two men 

 were ordered into her to bale out the water. This they 

 commenced doing with their hats, and it seemed probable 

 that by perseverance their task would be accomplished. At 

 this moment a man called out that he saw the fin of a shark. 

 Immediately all was confusion; everyone endeavored to 

 save himself, and in so doing rushed into needless danger. 

 Smith begged them to persevere in attempting to clear the 

 boat of water, and directed those not engaged in baling the 

 water to keep splashing with their legs to frighten away 

 the sharks. Again he was attended to ; four men were in 

 the boat baling, and the water was rapidly decreasing, when 

 a noise was heard, and more than a dozen sharks darted in 

 amongst them. In the panic which ensued the boat was 

 again upset, and the men were at the mercy of the marine 

 monsters. At first the sharks played about among the men,^ 

 occasionally rubbing against them; but presently a loud 

 shriek arose from one of them — his leg was bitten from his 

 body! The attack was now general; shrieks arose from one 

 and another. Some were torn from the boat, and several sank 

 into the abyss, either through being bitten or from fear. 



