The Island Bride — page 33: what you’re looking at

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

fH SHARK. | 7 beheld the forms of parson Trust, Weldon and Bolt, emerge from their huts. Encouraging her with cries and gesticula- tions, they procured oars and paddles, and springing upon the rafts, were soon working it rapidly toward the reef. ; Though her wrists were now almost benumbed by her long- continued hold of the weeds, yet she still contrived to cling to them with a tenacity which prevented her from being washed? hito deep water. “That's right!’ shouted Squint, when the raft was within .wenty fathoms of the rocks, “ that’s right ; hold on hard, my lass, and we'll soon be up to you, and—” “God help her—-God have mercy on her!” said the par- son, in a low voice, as he pointed to a long, sharp fin which Was now moving rapidly through the surface of the water toward the young girl. Luckily ske did not see it; otber- wise she would, in all probabilily, have become so alarmed, us to lose all power of maintaining her hold. “Tt is a shark!” whispered Weldon and Squint, simulta nedusly. “Yea, verily !? muttered the parson, in a voice of horror, “and I’m afraid it will devour the young lady before we can afford her any assistance.” In fact, it seemed hardly possible that the raft could be work ed to the spot occupied by the girl in time to insure her res- cue, for the shark, which was swimming at right-angles with the floating platform, was approaching her with great ra- pidity. “Work your paddles lively, for God’s sake, men, work ; strain every muscle !” cried Weldon in a husky voice. ‘“ Oh, God, if we should not succeed in saving her!” Nearer and nearer to the young girl, steadily and swiftly glided that long, fearful-looking fin. It was soon within te: fathoms of her; six feet less than the distance of the raft. The parson groaned ; Weldon compressed his lips tightly Squint made his paddle fly through the water like a mill Wheel. The clumsy spars, however, seemed scarcely to move. Harmon felt assured that the ferocious-looking jaws of the shark would soon close over the lovely girl, unless he tried some other means of saving her. He kicked off his shoes and divested himself of his jacket. COMMEIOOXSaCOmn