tiny fish, below. He headed after his prize, got
in position and threw his spear. Just as he let go, he saw a huge black
shape rising beneath his fish. The fish turned away in panic. "Damn!"
thought North, "Well, better to lose a spear and have to pay for it,
than tangle with a shark!"
68 He let his line go. Unfortunately, the breeze caught some of it as
it came off the reel and wrapped it around North's foot. But he was
unaware of this, until the spear drove deep into the shark's back, and
it took off like a starship hitting star drive. The line went taught,
whipping North around in the air and nearly pulling his leg out of its
socket, not to mention what it did to his wings. It was impossible in
this position to fly.
69 North was falling towards the water and being dragged at the same
time. He had only one desperate chance. Summoning his strength, he
folded his wings and allowed himself to drop, felt down his leg, got
ahold of the line, and gained some slack, then spread his wings again
to catch the wind.
70 By this time, he was damned near in the water, but the shark's
forward speed and the wind was enough to pick him up like a kite, and
pull him back up into the air. North was unaware that he barely made
it. Another shark, drawn by the blood dripping from his ankle, leaped
out of the water, its huge jaws missing North's legs by inches. But the
shark's prize eluded him, soaring higher.
71 By now, shouts of alarm were rising all around him, as others became
aware of the situation North was in. Sweet Cloud knew that at any
moment the shark might dive and yank North beneath the surface. Calling
for the Security Guard to follow her, she sped ahead, got over the
shark, and put her spear square in his nose, then pulled up with all of
her strength. The Security Man following her lead, planted their spears
too, and fought to keep the giant on the surface.