human
I'll be bankrupt if this keeps up long,
gpt
Yes, said Jim.
human
You'll wish you'd joined the All-Star League and copped that twenty thousand.
gpt
How do they ever do it?
human
In the blood I suppose, replied Joe.
gpt
Their folks throw them into the water when they're babies, and like puppies, they have to swim or drown.
human
They're more at home in the water than they are on land, remarked Jim.
gpt
Those fellows will swim out in the ocean and stay there all day long.
human
I should think they'd be afraid of sharks,
gpt
Sharks are easy meat for them, replied Jim.
human
You ought to pity the sharks instead of wasting it on these fellows. Give them a knife, and the shark hasn't a Chinaman's chance.
gpt
Not even a knife, chimed in Joe.
human
A stick sharpened at both ends is enough.
gpt
A stick?
human
Sure thing, replied Joe.
gpt
They simply wait until the shark turns over to grab them and then thrust it right into the open jaws. You've no idea how effective that can be.
human
It's a case of misplaced confidence, laughed Jim.
gpt
The poor trustful shark lets his jaws come together with a snap, or rather he thinks he does, and instead of a nice juicy human, those guileless jaws of his close on the two ends of the pointed stick and stay there. He can't close his mouth and he drowns.
human
Poor thing, murmured Clara involuntarily, while the boys put up a shout.
gpt
I don't care, she added, flushing.
human
I'm always sorry for the underdog----
gpt
That's why she's taken such a fancy to you, Jim, old man,
human
Well, as long as pity is akin to----
gpt
But suppose the stick should break,
human
Then there would be just one less native, answered Jim, solemnly.
gpt
By the way, Joe, he added,
human
Give it up,
gpt
Because, chuckled Jim,
human
Go ahead, said Joe bitterly, while the girls giggled.
gpt
Perpetrate it. What shark has a bark?
human
A dog-faced shark,
gpt
Of all the idiots, lisped Reggie, joining them at the rail.