ss than two yards from the
runabout. Scotty turned at once, and keeping to the water, moved
upstream. Rick followed, careful not to splash. The darkness was less
dense than under the trees, but he could not make out any details.

The channel ran roughly parallel to the creek, with a strip of land
about thirty yards wide between the two. When Scotty estimated they were
even with the cove, he left the channel and moved into the marsh grass
again. Rick followed closely, careful to make no noise. In spite of
their best efforts there was an occasional sucking sound as his foot or
Scotty's pulled out of the muck, and there was a steady rustle of marsh
grass. He hoped that the sounds were drowned out by the steady chugging
of Orvil's motor.

Scotty slowed to a cautious pace and Rick knew they were approaching the
creek bank. The marsh grass did not thin appreciably. Rick wondered if
the night watchers could see the tassels of the grass waving as they
approached, and decided that the small motion probably was invisible
against the high bank of trees farther inland.

Rick stopped as Scotty turned. Soundlessly, Scotty lowered himself to
the mud, then inched ahead, moving each strand of marsh grass with care.
Rick followed suit, and crawled in Scotty's track until he saw the
glimmer of water. Then, moving with great caution, he drew alongside his
pal. They looked out into the cove through a thin screen of grass
stalks.

Orvil Harris was crabbing, as unconcerned as though nothing had
happened. As Rick stared, disbelieving, the crabber's net swooped.

The crab boat moved on, exposing a glow on the opposite bank. Rick
sucked in his breath. He could make out the forms of two men. One was
smoking a cigarette. Both carried rifles.

CHAPTER XIV

Daybreak

Rick tugged at Scotty's suit, then crawfished backward through the marsh
grass until he was sure the night watchers could not see him. He stood
up, and Scotty joined him. Rick motioned toward their own boat.

The boys made their way back through the swamp to the runabout in almost
total silence, each busy with his own thoughts.

Orvil Harris was crabbing as though nothing had happened, while the
night watchers stood in plain sight on the opposite shore. Orvil must
have seen the shots fired, Rick was certain. Even if he had been looking
the other way, the first shot would have caught his attention.

Or, Rick wondered, had Orvil tipped off the two guards that divers w