Page:Twenty Thousand Verne Frith 1876.pdf/297

 quick as thought, precipitated himself, harpoon in hand, upon the shark, and driven the terrible weapon into his side.

The waves were immediately a mass of blood, and rolled in large billows as the shark beat them in his struggles. Ned Land had struck home; this was the monster’s last gasp. Pierced to the heart, he beat out his life in spasmodic writhings, the shock of which upset Conseil.

Meantime, Ned Land had gone to the captain’s assistance, and he, again on his feet, hastened to the Indian, cut the cord which fastened the stone, and, taking him in his arms, by a vigorous stroke ascended to the surface. We all followed, and, in a few minutes, most miraculously preserved from death, we reached the diver’s boat.

Captain Nemo’s first care was to restore this unfortunate man to life. I was afraid he would not succeed—I hoped he would, for the poor man’s immersion had not lasted long—but the blow from the shark’s tail might have been fatal.

Happily, by vigorous rubbing, I perceived the diver regaining consciousness. He opened his eyes, and great was his astonishment to perceive four great copper-helmeted heads leaning over him.

And still greater must have been his surprise, when Captain Nemo, taking a string of pearls from his dress, placed them in his hand. This munificent present from the man of the seas to the poor Cingalese was accepted with trembling hands. His startled eyes showed that he did not know to what superhuman beings he owed at once his fortune and his life.

At a sign from the captain we regained the oyster beds, and retracing our steps, we reached the anchor of the launch in about half an hour. Once again on board, we with the sailors’ assistance took off our dresses.