At once the ray of fire tried to escape.
But it was too late, for the top of the net closed tight just as he shoved his nose against it.
Then an odd thing happened.
The fish began to lash around in a circle, emitting a strange sound like the roll of distant thunder.
Sparks flew from its tail which dropped down into the water like the sparks from a Roman candle.
"What a beautiful sight!" began Dave, when of a sudden he heard a swishing through the water.
He turned, to behold his father in a truly perilous situation.
The second ray of fire had come up and wound itself around Amos Fearless' neck.
Its hard body was like a wand of rubber, and unless the fish were released the old diver would speedily be strangled to death!