A Queer Race: The Story of a Strange People — page 130: what you’re looking at

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

A QUEER RACE. 127 fishes, turning belly upward, floated to the top of the water—dead. In obedience to an order from the captain, the hunters now returned to the boat for a few minutes’ rest, which they had well earned, as also the praises of the queen and the plaudits of the spectators. In the meantime the surviving sharks had fastened on the body of the slain, and others, scenting blood afar, were hurrying up to the feast. “Have at them again! AIL!” cried the captain; and himself setting the example, plunged into the water sword in hand, leaving the boat to take care of itself. This time the sharks, occupied with their meal, were rather taken at a disadvantage; but the creatures being so close together, the only way to get at them was to dive under their bellies, and much address was required to avoid blows from their tails, which were quite capable of breaking a limb. As, moreover, other sharks kept com- ing up and might take them unawares, two of the hunt- ers were told off to keep watci. and ward, give notice of their approach, and afford help where help was most re- quired. In ten minutes after the opening of the second attack two more sharks were numbered with the s'ain, and al- most before the breath was out of their bodies the others began to -rend their dead companions, an occupation which they occasionaliy varied by a free fight among themselves. : «hat makes a fourth.” said Queen Mab, as another shark turned over on his back. ‘*’They have done very well, I think it is almost time to ery, ‘ Hold, enongh?’ What say vou?” ‘“T am quite of your opinion,” I answered. ‘“ Better stop before anybody is hurt.” ‘Good! I will order the vellow flag to be run up, That is the signal for the combat to cease.”’ The words were hardly spoken, when one of the hunters anticipated the signal by emerging from the throng and swimming, slowly and painfully, toward the boat. Climb- ing over the gunwale with some difficulty, he lay down in the stern. “That is Bertram Hare,” said Mab, anxiously. ‘I wonder what is the matter? Are you hurt, Bertram?” Ebooks.com com 2 a>