"One very hot summer we were becalmed off Colombo, and lay for days with nothing to do but whistle for a wind and quarrel among ourselves.

My mate and I kept the peace for a couple of days, but then we fell out like the rest.

I forget what it was about--a trifle, probably a word.

We didn't fight on deck--it was too hot--but jumped overboard and fought in the water.

I remember, as I plunged, I caught sight, a hundred yards away, of an ugly grey fin lying motionless on the water, and knew it belonged to a shark.