56 ALONG THE FLORIDA REEF. 



the blue waters of the Gulf. The shark, follow- 

 ing in blind haste, could not force its big body 

 over the shoal, and was soon high on the reef. 

 The boat's crew were quickly upon it, but, on 

 account of the shark's tremendous efforts to free 

 itself, they dared not touch it. In its struggles 

 the fish would bend nearly double, and then, 

 suddenly straightening out, would hurl the 

 water over the boys, who had now left the boat 

 and were wading about in the shoal water, dodg- 

 ing the shark's tail and trying to get within 

 striking distance. Finally, Tom hurled his 

 grains into the shark's head. This only increased 

 the creature's struggles, but Busby, wading up 

 to the writhing monster, struck it a terrific blow, 

 breaking its backbone. 



" It's easy enough, when you know how," he 

 said, laughing. 



They were all soon at work, cutting up their 

 prize. 



" Stand still, Tom," said the doctor, presently, 

 as he lifted the shark's jaw and held it so that it 

 easily fitted over Tom's head. 



" Eight rows of teeth ! " said Dick, counting 



