There was only the heavy sharp blue head and the big eyes and the clicking, thrusting all-swallowing jaws.
But that was the location of the brain and the old man hit it.
He hit it with his blood mushed hands driving a good harpoon with all his strength.
He hit it without hope but with resolution and complete malignancy.
The shark swung over and the old man saw his eye was not alive and then he swung over once again, wrapping himself in two loops of the rope.
The old man knew that he was dead but the shark would not accept it.
Then, on his back, with his tail lashing and his jaws clicking, the shark plowed over the water as a speed-boat does.
The water was white where his tail beat it and three-quarters of his body was clear above the water when the rope came taut, shivered, and then snapped.
The shark lay quietly for a little while on the surface and the old man watched him.
Then he went down very slowly.