I should have thought that anyone who prides himself, as you do, upon swimming, would have been equally willing to encounter them." "I do not know that I do pride myself on my swimming, Giles Taunton," Ned said composedly; "at any rate, no one has ever heard me speak of such abilities as I may have in that way.

As to the natives, they have seen each other fight with sharks, and know how the matter is gone about.

If I were to be present a few times, when such strife takes place, it may be that I should not shirk from joining in the sport; but knowing nothing whatever of the method pursued, or of the manner of attack, I should be worse than a fool, were I to propose to venture my life in such a sport." Many sailors who were standing round approved of what Ned said.
"Aye, aye, lad," one said, "no one would think of making his first jump across the spot where he might be dashed to pieces.

Let a man learn to jump on level ground; and then, when he knows his powers, he may go across a deep chasm." By this time a good many of the men were out of the water, when suddenly there arose the cry of, "Shark!" from the lookout on the poop.

There was a great rush for the ship, and the excitement on board was nearly as great as that in the water.