"If it can control animals," Byrnes said, "I wonder if it can control men." * * * * * They were all silent. They had moved into a circle near the copra shed, and while they talked they watched the jungle for any sign of insect or animal life. Sorensen said, "We'd better radio for help." "If we do that," Recetich said, "somebody's going to find out about the _Santa Teresa_ treasure. We'll be overrun in no time." "Maybe so," Sorensen said. "But at the worst, we've cleared expenses. We've even made a small profit." "And if we don't get help," Drake said, "we may be in no condition to take anything out of here." "The problem isn't as bad as all that," Byrnes said. "We've got guns. We can take care of the animals." "You haven't seen the bug yet," Drake said. "We'll squash it." "That won't be easy," Drake said. "It's faster than hell. And how are you going to squash it if it comes into your hut some night while you're asleep? We could post guards and they wouldn't even see the thing." Brynes shuddered involuntarily. "Yeah, I guess you're right. Maybe we'd better radio for help." Eakins stood up. "Well, gents," he said, "I guess that means me. I just hope the batteries on the ketch are up to charge." "It'll be dangerous going out there," Drake said. "We'll draw lots." Eakins was amused. "We will? How many of you can operate a transmitter?" Drake said, "I can." "No offense meant," Eakins said, "but you don't operate that set of yours worth a damn. You don't even know Morse for key transmission. And can you fix the set if it goes out?" "No," Drake said. "But the whole thing is too risky. We all should go." Eakins shook his head. "Safest thing all around is if you cover me from the beach. That bug probably hasn't thought about the ketch yet." Eakins stuck a tool kit in his pocket and strapped one of the camp's walkie-talkies over his shoulder. He handed the other one to Sorensen. He hurried down the beach past the launch and pushed the small dinghy into the water. The men of the expedition spread out, their rifles ready. Eakins got into the dinghy and started rowing across the quiet lagoon. They saw him tie up to the ketch and pause a moment, looking around. Then he climbed aboard. Quickly he slid back the hatch and went inside. "Everything all right?" Sorensen asked. "No trouble yet," Eakins said, his voice sounding thin and sharp over the walkie-talkie. "I'm at the transmitter now, turning it on. It needs a couple of minutes to warm up." Drake nudged Sorensen. "Look over there." On the reef, almost hidden by the ketch, something was moving. Using binoculars, Sorensen could see three big gray rats slipping into the water. They began swimming toward the ketch. "Start firing!" Sorensen said. "Eakins, get out of there!" "I've got the transmitter going," Eakins said. "I just need a couple of minutes more to get a message off." * * * * *