[THEN BEGAN A TERRIBLE STRUGGLE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA.]
Silently the struggle went on, but, fortunately, not in darkness, for both the submarine electric lamps still glowed, and now they were within range of the light that streamed from the glass windows of the cabin of the Sonderbaar. Someone had switched them on.
In vain Jerry tried to free his arms. They were too tightly held, another feeler whipping itself about him. The remaining tentacles of the creature, the lad realized, must be clinging to a rock to give it an anchorage.
Jerry glanced at Professor Snodgrass. The scientist had now dropped his lantern so that it dangled at the end of the chain about his waist, and was making fast to the same chain the net containing his specimens. Then Jerry had a gleam of hope, for he saw the little man transfer the long, keen knife from his right to his left hand, reaching for it with the latter.
“Oh, if he can only cut off the arms of the octopus!” thought Jerry. And yet, as he glanced down on his chest, and beheld the horrid muscular object, like some snake, with its spasmodically working suckers, Jerry had his doubts. Could a knife cut through in time to save their lives—his life?
There was danger of the pressure of the arms working some damage to the compressed air apparatus carried at the back of the helmet. Already Jerry felt a choking sensation, as the arms drew tighter and tighter about him.
Professor Snodgrass raised the knife to slash the tentacle of the beast that held him captive. Then he seemed to hesitate, and Jerry thought he understood. The diving suit was partly made of rubber, and the least rent in this, if the knife should slip, would mean death by drowning.
What could be done?
Tighter and tighter pressed the terrible tentacles. Closer and closer to the unseen cave the creature drew its prey. Neither Jerry nor the professor could turn about, but they knew the horrid monster of the deep was back of them.