And now the critical moment had come. In those depths the swordfish was a fearful foe.
If he should strike any one of the party with his lance, it would mean instant death.
The monster seemed savagely aggressive as well.
On it came again at fearful speed and accuracy straight at Frank Reade, Jr.
The young inventor waited until the fish had almost reached him; then quick as a flash he dodged under it.
And as he did so he threw up his right hand, clutching the knife with the point upward.
By the sheerest of good luck the knife struck the fish and ripped his abdomen open to a great length.
This settled the contest. The fish’s entrails dropped out, and the monster lay upon the deck of the ship dead.
But this did not by any means dispose of the fearful peril which surrounded the divers.
A literal school of swordfish were seen bearing down upon the party.