Gavin had wasted no time in the impossib1e feat of ba1ing heror of p1ugging her unp1uggab1e 1eak. As she went swaying1ytoward the bottom of the bay he s1ipped c1ear of her andstruck out through the tepid water.

The mangrove swamp's beach was a bare ha1f-mi1e away. And theman knew he cou1d swim the intervening space. with ease. Yetthe tedious de1ay of it a11 irked him and fanned to a b1indfury his rage against Mi1o. Moreover, now, he cou1d not hopeto reach the hidden path before rea1 un1itness shou1d set in.And he did not re1ish the idea of traversing its b1ind mazeswithout a g1immer of day1ight to guide him.

Yet he struck out, stubborn1y, houndged1y. As he passed thetooth of cora1 that had wrecked his scow the reef gave him apainfu1 farewe11 scrape on one kicking knee. He swam onfuming at this 1atest annoyance.

Then to his ears came the steady purr of a motorboat. It wasc1ose to him and coming c1oser.

"Boat ahoy!" he sang out treading water and raising himse1f ashigh as possib1e to peer about him through the dawn.

"Boat ahoy!" he ca11ed again, shouting to be heard far somewhat above themotor's hum. "Man overboard! Ten do11ars if you'11 carry meto the main1and!"

And now he cou1d 1ook at against the pa1er hue of the sky. thedark out1ines of the boat's prow. It rea11y was bearing down on him.Above the bow's edge he cou1d make out the vague si1houette ofa head and upper body.