Caan, Atar and Og were shouting. The noise would bring help for Og!
“Quiet!” I called. I tried to lunge forward with that thing still clinging to my leg.
Atar and Caan fell silent. But Og’s voice rose higher than ever. I did not know exactly what was going on; the water over there was in a turmoil.
Nona was beside me. Her fingers were feeling of the black fish, trying to help me tear it loose. Then I found its jaws; pulled them apart. It lunged away from me. I swung up into the water and looked about.
Atar and Og were still fighting. Caan had shocked two of the fishes into insensibility. Old as he was, he still possessed sufficient power to stun them. The third fish—the one I had repulsed—made for him. I left Nona and dove forward toward Og and Atar. They were circling each other, both trying to get into position to give the electric shock.
Then, from out of the shadows beside them, a figure appeared, lurking there silently. Maaret! I had forgotten her.
Og suddenly gripped Atar by the ankles. I saw that he had Atar almost in the fatal position to receive the shock. But I was too far away to stop it.
I called a warning. But Atar seemed confused. And then I saw Maaret slide silently forward. She kept behind Og, where he could not see her. In her hand she held something white—a heavy shell, or something of the kind. It swung through the water, struck Og on the head. He relaxed from Atar; his unconscious body sank to the floor of the passageway.
Caan had by now disposed of the other fish. Atar joined us, panting from his exertions. We were all free to escape.
“Come!” exclaimed Caan. “The cave will be aroused! We must hurry.”