In any case, one of them broke loose and fled, with the hellish pack after it. It is the instinct of squids, if injured, to try to find some submarine cavern in which to hide. The monster dived, and the others pursued it. There was no opening in the reef barrier--not underwater. But there was an opening on the surface. The crippled beast had to find a refuge, or be torn to bits. It may have been guided by instinct, or perhaps the current flowing into or out of the lagoon furnished the clue. In any case, the fleeing creature darted crazily into the channel used by the _Esperance_ for passage. For a little way, it proceeded underwater. Then it grounded itself. Hopelessly. And the pursuing pack arrived. The sight from the _Esperance's_ deck was straight out of the worst possible nightmare. Glistening serpentine tentacles writhed and flailed the seas. They tore the swells to froth. The pursuers had flung themselves savagely upon the helpless one. The gap in the reef was closed by the battling giants. They slavered. They gripped. They tore. They rent each other.... Terry saw a tentacle as thick as a barrel which had been haggled half through and dangled futilely as its stump still tried to fight. And more giants came. Terry shouted, and the _Esperance_ turned. He could see large patches of phosphorescence under the surface. And suddenly, he noticed that a few of them had swerved toward the _Esperance_. As they approached the sound-horn stung them. They went into convulsive struggling, as the sound played upon them, and they passed the _Esperance_ by. Davis found Terry beside the sound-weapon's controls watching the sea with desperate intensity. "Listen," said Davis fiercely, "we're out at sea and we can't get back into the lagoon! We'd better get away from here!" "Across deep water?" demanded Terry. "That dangerous foam can come up from deep water, but maybe not from shallow water. We've got to stay close to the reef until the flattop comes and bombs these creatures--if it will ever come!" Davis made a helpless gesture. Terry said crisply, "Get the 'copter to hang over the reef and report on the fighting there. Tell it to report to the flattop. They may not believe us, but they may send a plane anyway. And if the ships come, they'll have to believe about the foam! Tell them to listen for it underwater. They've got sonar gear." Davis stumbled away. Presently, the dark figure of Nick lowered himself through what had been the forecastle hatch. Davis followed him. Deirdre came over to Terry. "Terry ..." "I'm going to beat in the heads," said Terry, "of those idiots who came after your father and me without throwing you on the wharf first!" "They'd have wasted precious time," said Deirdre calmly. "I wouldn't have let them. Do you think I want to be ashore when you ..."