Paddling under Palmettos — page 143: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

136 Paddling Under Palmettos. “The sharks seemed to realize that they had been cheated out of their expected prey, for they showed it by even attacking the heavy yawl, but shots and harpoon-thrusts wounded so many that they turned their attention to fighting among themselves. “That is my story, gentlemen. What I suffered has been too terrible to relate, at greater length, but from that day to this I have entertained a bitter hatred for sharks, and spend all my winter cruising in the South, where I can put in my time ridding the world of these voracious creatures.” “And from what I have heard you have put quite a number hors de combat,” said Dick, quietly. “A large hammer-head shark that I caught at Ju- piter the other day made my list just one thousand seven hundred.” Archie studied the man. Here was a strange character, indeed. No doubt the events of that time of danger had slightly affected his mind. On all other subjects he was rational enough, but when the matter of fishing for sharks came up he was enthu- Siastic, or, as Jack said, “a crank.” They spent a very agreeable evening. How strange to see summer flowers and many Eomichbooks