Part 17 (1/2)

The Terran hesitated. To describe to men who knew nothing of explosives the cla.s.sic way of dealing with a sub via depth charges was close to impossible. But he did his best.

”Among my people one imprisons in a container a great power. Then the container is dropped near the sub and--”

”And how,” broke in the skeptical captain, ”do you know where such a s.h.i.+p lies? Can you see it through the water?”

”In a way--not see, but hear. There is a machine which makes for the captain of the above-seas s.h.i.+p a picture of where the sub lies or moves so that he may follow its course. Then when he is near enough he drops the container and the power breaks free--to also break apart the sub.”

”Yet the making of such containers and the imprisoning of the power within them,” Torgul said, ”this is the result of a knowledge which is greater than any save the Foanna may possess. You do not have it?” His conclusion was half statement, half question.

”No. It took many years and the combined knowledge of many men among my people to make such containers, such a listening device. I do not have it.”

”Why then think of what we do not have?” Torgul's return was decisive.

”What _do_ we have?”

Ross's head came up. He was listening, not to anything in that cabin, but to a sound which had come through the port just behind his head.

There--it had come again! He was on his feet.

”What--?” Vistur's hand hovered over the ax at his belt. Ross saw their gaze centered on him.

”We may have reinforcements now!” The Terran was already on his way to the deck.

He hurried to the rail and whistled, the thin, shrill summons he had practiced for weeks before he had ever begun this fantastic adventure.

A sleek dark body broke water and the dolphin grin was exposed as Tino-rau answered his call. Though Ross's communication powers with the two finned scouts was very far from Karara's, he caught the message in part and swung around to face the Rovers who had crowded after him.

”We have a way now of learning more about your enemies.”

”A boat--it comes without sail or oars!” One of the crew pointed.

Ross waved vigorously, but no hand replied from the skiff. Though it came steadily onward, the three cruisers its apparent goal.

”Karara!” Ross called.

Then side by side with Tino-rau were two wet heads, two masked faces showing as the swimmers trod water--Karara and Loketh.

”Drop ropes!” Ross gave that order as if he rather than Torgul commanded. And the Captain himself was one of those who moved to obey.

Loketh came out of the sea first and as he scrambled over the rail he had his sword ready, looking from Ross to Torgul. The Terran held up empty hands and smiled.

”No trouble now.”

Loketh snapped up his mask. ”So the Sea Maid said the finned ones reported. Yet before, these thirsted for your blood on their blades.

What magic have you worked?”

”None. Just the truth has been discovered.” Ross reached for Karara's hand as she came nimbly up the rope, swung her across the rail to the deck where she stood unmasked, brus.h.i.+ng back her hair and looking around with a lively curiosity.

”Karara, this is Captain Torgul,” Ross introduced the Rover commander who was staring round-eyed at the girl. ”Karara is she who swims with the finned ones, and they obey her.” Ross gestured to Tino-rau. ”It is Taua who brings the skiff?” he asked the Polynesian.

She nodded. ”We followed from the gate. Then Loketh came and said that ... that....” She paused and then added, ”But you do not seem to be in danger. What has happened?”