LOSS OF THE MAGPIE. 213 
parts, he used the wisest plan of desiring those who held on by 
the gunwale to keep splashing in the water with their legs, in 
order to frighten the monsters at which they were so alarmed. 
Once more had hope began to dawn ; the boat was clear to 
her thwarts, and four men were in her hard at work. A little 
forbearance and a little obedience, and they were safe. At this 
moment, when those in the water urged their messmates in 
the boat to continue bailing with unremitted exertions, a noise 
was heard close to them, and about fifteen sharks came right 
in amongst them. The panic was ten times more dreadful than 
before. The boat again was upset by the simultaneous endea 
vor to escape danger, and the twenty-two sailors were again 
devoted to destruction. 
At first the sharks did not seem inclined to seize their prey, 
but swam in amongst the men, playing in the -water, some- 
times leaping about and rubbing against their victims. This 
was of short duration. A loud shriek from one of the men 
announced his sudden pain. A shark had seized him by the 
leg and severed it entirely from the body. No sooner had the 
blood been tasted than the long-dreaded attack took place; 
another and another shriek proclaimed the loss of limbs: 
some were torn from the boat, to which they vainly endea- 
vored to cling — some, it was supposed, sunk from fear alone 
— all were in dreadful peril. 
Mr. Smith, even now, when, of horrible deaths the most 
horrible seemed to await him, gave his orders with clearness 
and coolness ; and to the everlasting honor of the poor de- 
parted crew be it known, they were obeyed. Again the boat 
was righted, and again two men were in her. Incredible as 
it may appear, still however it is true, that the voice of the 
officer was heard amidst the danger ; and the survivors actu- 
ally, as before, clung to the gunwale, and kept the boat up- 
right. Mr. Smith himself held by the stern, and cheered and 
applauded his men. The sharks had tasted the blood, and 
were not to be driven from their feast ; in one short moment, 
when Mr. Smith ceased splashing, as he looked into the boat 
to watch the progress, a shark seized both his legs and bit 
them off just above the knees. Human nature was not strong 
enough to bear the immense pain without a groan ; but Smith 
endeavored to conceal the misfortune. Nature, true to her- 
self, resisted the endeavor, and the groan was deep and audi- 
ble. The crew had long respected their gallant commander ; 
they knew his worth and his courage. On hearing him ex- 
press his pain, and seeing him relinquish his hold to sink, two 
