Part 28 (1/2)
”We'll ask no about that octopus cave? Where is it?”
”We'll take you,” Rick said ”Let us get tanks froed by now”
Steve shot a look at the doctor The officer shrugged, then nodded
”Okay, if it's a short dive They've had plenty for today”
”Chief? Where are you?” Kelly called
A frogroup ”Here, Sir”
”Check their regulators, please If they're okay, hook up fresh tanks
If not, loan them complete outfits”
”Yes, Sir”
”Thanks, Chief Then get set to co, too Bring still and et down, split into two- for It's just like the one we found off St Croix”
Rick stared at the frogman officer Another brass ball off St Croix?
But there wasn't time for questions
”Quick dive, please,” Zircon requested ”These boys have had enough”
”They're through as soon as they show us the cave,” Steve agreed ”Coet to it”
Rick carefully checked his equipranted or leave to someone else, while Scotty did the same
Then they put the equipment on and adjusted face un were soet theroup entered the water Rick looked around and oriented himself by the position of the _Water Witch_, then led the ith Scotty, Steve, and Jimen stayed closed behind
It was a thrill for Rick to be swimen He looked to the side and saw that Steve was perfectly at home in the water, and he ent Steve hadn't been joking when he said he would be an expert by nightfall
At the reef Rick turned northward and led the way toward the level of the cave A few er showed it to Steve and Jiman swam over and picked the little creature up The octopus spurted away, leaving a blob of ink behind He caht
Rick swaan to search for the brass ball Scotty beckoned, and they swaether toward the spot where Scotty had last seen it The frog
A fewthe object triumphantly
Steve Aroup swah the murky layer, oriented themselves by the sleek shape of the destroyer escort hull, and eman who had found the ball handed it up to Hobart Zircon
Steve Amen ”Run these fellows over to the beach, please, then wait and bring them back” He turned to the boys ”Put on dry clothes Then come on back We need to talk”