"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."