essed air in his lungs
expanded under the decreasing pressure. He let himself exhale as he
rose, fighting against panic and the impulse to lock the remaining air
in his lungs. That would be fatal, he knew, and he willed himself to act
properly. He kept his fins moving, knowing that, if he kept his head, he
would make the surface.

He passed through the murky layer and saw the surface like a wrinkled
silver sheet far overhead. Straining, he swam for it, letting out his
breath as the pressure on his lungs demanded.

There was another boat hull in the water, almost over him! He angled
away, to avoid coming up under it.

And suddenly there were forms around the boat. A cry tore from his lips
and was swallowed in the water.

More frogmen! More enemies, when they were already defeated!

CHAPTER XIX

JANIG Takes to the Water

A figure dove to meet Rick. He angled away, fighting the impulse to
breathe, keeping the compressed air moving out of his lungs. The figure
angled with him, then suddenly sheered off. Rick shot past and the
figure followed.

These new frogmen were diving in midseason suits. He was aware of nearly
a dozen of them. He didn't count them; with his terrible need for oxygen
he didn't care that much.

He knew he would make it. He had to! But where was Scotty?

Rick shot to the surface, went right through it, his impetus carrying
him into the blessed air. He gulped a great lungful before he fell back
with a splash, and as he hit water his fins were flailing, to carry him
toward the hastily glimpsed shore.

A masked figure surfaced beside him and called, "Take it easy!"

He only moved faster. The frogman caught him easily, because the power
was gone from his leg strokes now. But he had enough strength to fight.
He reached for the frogman's face plate, and a strong arm pushed him
back.

A voice penetrated his consciousness. "Stop it, Rick, or I'll have to
let you have one."

The frogman knew his name! He hesitated, fist pulled back to throw the
best punch he had left, and the new frogman back-pedaled.

"Hold it," the frogman called, and lifted his face mask.

Rick stopped moving, staring numbly.

Jimmy Kelly! Lieutenant Kelly!

"I'll tow you to the boat," the lieutenant called. "Relax."

Rick obeyed, head spinning. He was a little groggy, and he couldn't make
sense out of things. How had Kelly got here?

And Scotty! Where was Scotty? He started struggling again, calling his
friend