They donned their equipment, then walked down to the beach. The surf was
not heavy, since the wind was blowing from the opposite side of the
island. Nevertheless, there was enough water motion to lift a fine
screen of sand and dust.

"The camera will be useless until we get into deeper water," Rick
called. "Let's rope together and swim straight out."

They waded in, awkward in the fins, until they were deep enough for
swimming. Then all adjusted mouthpieces and started out. Rick tried the
infrared light intermittently, but not until they were in about twenty
feet of water did the roiled bottom allow its use. He led the way to the
reef, the others following in file.

The reef was closer to the surface than on the western side. Rick had to
swim along it until he found a place where they could cross without
being buffeted by breakers. Once across, he swam down the face of the
reef, knowing that the trip was hard on Tony, because the underwater
world was completely dark to one without light, or glasses with which to
see the infrared illumination.

Rick found a fairly level shelf at about thirty feet and swam along it,
keeping close to the reef wall, until he thought they were in the
vicinity of the frogmen. Then he pulled twice on the tie rope in a
signal to surface, knowing that Scotty would pass the signal along to
Tony.

He emerged in a rough sea, only yards from the point on the reef
opposite the anchored boat. He was in time to see two frogmen climb down
the boat's ladder. They got into the water and the third man, on deck,
lowered the brass object to them.

Rick had no fear that they would be seen from the boat. Their heads
would be hidden by the breaking waves, and their bubbles would merge
with the natural foam.

He saw at once what their tactics should be. He pulled Scotty and Tony
to him, then let his mouthpiece drop. Putting his lips close to their
ears, he said softly, "If it's like last time, they won't be down long.
Scotty and I will track them to find out where they go, and watch what
they're doing. Then, after they leave, we'll see if they left anything
behind."

Scotty and Tony nodded. Tony untied the line that had held him to
Scotty. Rick replaced his mouthpiece, cleared a little mist from his
face mask, and led the way down.

This time the infrared light operated continuously. Now and then Rick
worked the toggle switch through its loose plastic covering and shut the
unit off while he searc