CHAPTER XXV
LEFT TO PERISH
For one moment Dave Fearless' heart seemed to stop beating.
The sight before him was a terrible one.
Vainly was his father struggling to free himself from the deadly embrace of the creature which had attacked him.
There were three coils of the ray of fire around the old diver's neck and these were slowly but surely choking the life out of the man.
His eyes were bulging from their sockets—his tongue stuck from his mouth. In a few seconds more all would be over.
Close at hand stuck a knife in a case on the wall of the diving bell.
With a leap Dave secured the blade. Another leap and he was at his parent's side.
But how should he attack the strange, snake-like fish? A false cut and he might stab his father in the throat.
But he must act, or it would be too late.