The Shark Attacks Begin

The first shark, a Mako, attacks the marlin's carcass, setting off a series of desperate defenses.

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The Mako Shark Arrives

The Mako Shark Arrives A Beautiful Predator Santiago has been sailing for an hour when he sees the first shark. It is a huge Mako, built for speed, with a blue back and silver belly. Its jaws are lined with razor-sharp teeth. The shark has smelled the blood of the marlin and comes fast. The Old Man Prepares Santiago knows this shark is fearless. He rigs the harpoon, but the rope is short because he used some to lash the fish. He has little hope, but he is resolved. He watches the shark close in, and when it strikes the marlin's tail, he drives the harpoon into its brain. The shark dies, but it takes the harpoon and rope with it. Santiago's best weapon is gone. Now he must fight with a knife lashed to an oar.

The First Galanos Attack

The First Galanos Attack A Pair of Scavengers Two shovel-nosed sharks, galanos, appear. They are ugly, scavenging killers, less noble than the Mako. They attack the marlin from below. Santiago fights them with the knife on the oar, stabbing one in the eye and the other in the brain. The Knife Breaks He kills one, but the other tears away more meat. The knife blade snaps when he tries to stab the third shark that comes alone. Now Santiago has only a club, then the tiller. He is losing the battle. He apologizes to the fish for going out too far. He wishes he had never hooked it. But he will fight until he dies.

The Night Attack

The Night Attack A Pack of Sharks Just before midnight, a pack of sharks attacks. Santiago can only see their fins and the phosphorescent splash. He clubs them with the broken oar, then the tiller, but there are too many. They tear away half the marlin. The Final Stand One shark attacks the head itself. Santiago swings the tiller and breaks it. He drives the splintered end into the shark. Finally, the sharks leave, having eaten everything they can. The marlin is now a skeleton. Santiago knows he is beaten. But he also knows that he has not been defeated. He sails home, guided by the glow of Havana, his body broken but his spirit intact.

late afternoon after killing the marlin

two hours after the Mako attack

night of the third day, near midnight