midday
At length , after much trouble , we succeeded in sending her out of the port after the others , and when once in the water , such was the old lady 's energy that she quickly distanced them , and was the first to reach the shore . We had fastened to the horns or neck of each animal a cord with a float attached to the end , and now embarking , we gathered up these floats , set sail , and steered for shore , drawing our herd after us . I saw , now , how impossible it would have been for us to have succeeded in our enterprise without the aid of a sail ; the weight of the goods sank the boat so low in the water that none of our exertions would have allowed us to row such a distance . But with the sail , we proceeded so completely to our satisfaction that were able to get some biscuits and enjoyed a midday meal ; then , while Fritz amused himself with his monkey , I took up my glass and tried to make out how our dear ones on shore were employing themselves . As I was thus engaged , a sudden shout from Fritz surprised me . I glanced up ; there stood Fritz with his gun to his shoulder , pointing it at a huge shark . The monster was making for one of the finest sheep ; he turned on his side to seize his prey ; as the white of his belly appeared Fritz fired .