Seagrave, whose wife was now by his side, after
glancing his eye a moment at the sharks, which were within a few feet
of the beach, had kept his gaze steadily upon Ready's movements. If he
passed through the passage of deep water between the rocks he might be
considered safe, as the boat was now beating on a reef on the other
side, where the water was shallow. It was a moment of intense anxiety.
At last Ready had gained the reef, and had his hands upon the rocks,
and was climbing on them.
"He is safe, is he not?" whispered Mrs. Seagrave faintly.
"Yes; now I think he is," replied Mr. Seagrave, as Ready had gained a
footing on the rocks, where the water was but a little above his
ankles. "I think there is no deep water between him and the boat."
In another minute Ready was over the rocks, and had seized the gunnel
of the boat.
"He is in the boat," cried William. "Thank God!"
"Yes, we must thank God, and that fervently," replied Mr. Seagrave.
"Look at those monsters," continued he, pointing to the sharks; "how
quick they swim to and fro; they have scented their prey on the water.
It is fortunate they are here."
"See, he has the boat-hook, and is pushing the boat off the reef into
the deep water.
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