The shark attacked twice. The first time it stripped the flesh from Watson's right leg below the calf, and the second time, it bit off Watson's foot!

Even though he was telling a really scary story, Copley didn't want the painting to be TOO bloody, because he was afraid that he wouldn't be able to show it! If you look very closely, you can see very slight traces of blood in the water and on the shark's mouth. The picture stops just at the place where Watson's right foot would have been (if he still had it). Copley doesn't want to gross us out with too many gory details! Just imagine how the same theme might be presented today!

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