He had aimed the
piece some distance ahead of his mark; but yet a moment would settle his
hopes and fears.
Every breath was hushed, and every heart in that old ship beat
painfully. The boat was yet some distance from the boys, while the
horrid sea-monster was fearfully near.
[Illustration]
Suddenly the silence was broken by the roar of the gun; and, as the old
man knew his shot was gone, he covered his face with his hands, as if
afraid to see the result. If he had failed, he knew that his boy was
lost.
For a moment after the report of the gun had died away upon the air,
there was an unbroken silence; but, as the thick smoke arose from the
surface of the water, there was, at first, a low murmur breaking from
the lips of the men,--that murmur grew louder and stronger, till it
swelled to a joyous, deafening shout.
The old gunner sprung to his feet, and gazed off on the water, and the
first thing that met his sight was the huge body of the shark floating
on its back, the shot aimed by him having instantly killed it.
In a few moments the boat reached the daring swimmers, and, greatly
frightened, they were brought on board.
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