Early afternoon of the third day
The First Mako Shark Attack
An hour after setting sail, a huge Mako shark arrives, drawn by the blood of the marlin. Santiago sees its blue dorsal fin and prepares his harpoon. The shark hits the marlin just above the tail, and Santiago drives the harpoon into its brain. The shark dies but takes the harpoon and rope with it as it sinks. The old man estimates the shark took about forty pounds of meat. He knows more sharks will come.