Ericwantedtogofaster, , , helookedbehind, , handsguiding, .
, , butnowhecouldbleedtodeathinminutes.
Heclampedthegashfirmlywithhisrighthand, .
Ifhepassedoutwithhishandnolongersealingthewound, , lsthistheend?
, ‘stoogood.l’mtooyoungtodieonthisdeath.
, armstillclenched, hestaggeredupthebeach.“Suckitup, Eric，”hetoldhimselfaloud.“Hike！”
.
After50yards, , getmorebloodtohisvitalorgans, buttherewasnotime.Herested30secondsandstumbledon.
Twicemorehedroppedtothesandinahalf-faint, Hefeltthebloodpulsingunderhishand, readytospout.“Gettough！”hecommanded, tighteninghisgrip.
Ahead，300feetaway, .“Helpme！”hecried.
Inasmallcottageattheedgeofthebeach，, hesawamanlyingonthesand.“Help！”cameashout.“Ivebeenattackedbyashark.Call911.”
, hesprintedforthehouse.
Inside, Bensmother, Michele, heardhersonatthephone.“onthebeach, bittenbyashark, looksprettybad……”
, shesawhislipsweregray.“Imloosingit，”hesaid.“, .”
Michelesankherfngersintothemainbrachialarteryofthearm.
Secondslater, ‘sinstruction, heusedthemtoelevatethewoundedman’.
Intenminutesorso, theywerejoinedbyaregisterednurse, whowasalsocaptainofthevolunteerrescuesquadinnearbyDavenport, , justafewhundredyardsaway, suspectingnothing.
“Itsgoodtohaveyouhere.”saidEricasNickgrippedhishand.
Therescuers, soonreinforcedbyanambulancecrew, , theybandagedhiswoundsandpulledrubberized, inflatabletrousersonhislegstoforcebloodtohisupperbody.
-minuteflighttoDominicanSantaCruzHospital, Ericsbloodpressurewasclosetonormal.
