222 ALONG THE FLORIDA REEF. 



to have disappeared ; tlien a faint jerk came on 

 the line. 



" He's taken it ! " whispered Tom hoarsely, 

 as if afraid of frightening the fish. 



" That was a crab ! " said Dick. 



" No," Tom insisted ; " they bite that way, 

 gently at first. Here goes the line anyhow." 



Sure enough, the rope commenced to run 

 slowly out. 



" Stand by the coral-hook ! " cried Tom to 

 Dick, slackening out. " Long John said to give 

 him about fifteen feet, and when I jerk, cast off 

 and see that the line isn't foul. Keep your knife 

 ready to cut, Harry, if we get into trouble." 



Dick and Harry took a good hold on the 

 line ; then, when the fish hauled it taut, all hands 

 jerked the hook into it with all their force and 

 so much energy that Harry, who was last on the 

 line, went backward down among the bailers, 

 oars, and bait. 



The astonished shark hesitated a moment, 

 then darted off like a shot, tearing the line from 

 their grasp and giving them a lively dance to 

 keep clear of it. 



