16 
SCENES IN INDIA. 
billows, as if actively engaged with his formidable foe. 
It was a period of painful suspense to those who 
were anxiously watching the issue from the boats 
outside the surf. After a while the white foam was 
visibly tinged with blood, which was viewed with a 
sensation of horror by those who could only surmise 
what was going on under the water. The man was 
again seen to rise and disappear, so that the work of 
death was evidently not yet complete. After some 
further time had elapsed, to the astonishment of all 
who were assembled on the beach, for by this time 
a considerable crowd had collected, the body of a 
huge shark was seen for a few moments above the 
whitening spray, which it completely crimsoned, 
and then disappeared ; an instant after the man 
rose above the surf, and made for the shore. He 
seemed nearly exhausted, but had not a single mark 
upon his body, which bore no evidence whatever 
of the perilous conflict in which he had been so 
recently engaged. He had scarcely landed when an 
immense shark was cast upon the beach by the 
billows. It was quite dead, and was immediately 
dragged by the assembled natives beyond the reach of 
the surge. It presented a most frightful spectacle, 
exhibiting fatal proofs of the terrific struggle which 
had ensued between this ravenous tyrant of the deep 
and the bereaved father. He had indeed taken a most 
signal revenge. 
On the body of the huge creature were several deep 
gashes, from one of which the intestines protruded. 
The knife had been evidently plunged into the belly, 
and drawn downward with unerring precision, present- 
