He clambered up a steep place and placed his hand upon the coral. At the same moment he noticed an orifice in the rock just to his right.
Even as he did so he fancied he saw the glitter of something bright beyond. But he gave it no heed.
This was Clifford’s mistake.
For while reaching for the coral a long, sinewy arm darted out of the orifice. In an instant it wound itself about the body of the unsuspecting diver.
It wound about him in serpentine fold and he was torn from his perch and drawn toward the orifice.
In one swift instant Clifford realized his peril and the character of his foe.
He knew that the sinewy arm was really the tentacle of a fierce octopus or sea-cat, and that its horrid jaws were waiting to mangle him.
And he seemed powerless to resist. For a moment he was dazed with utter horror and indecision.
What should he do?
This was a problem.