On the reef, almost hidden by the ketch, something was moving. Using
binoculars, Sorensen could see three big gray rats slipping into the
water. They began swimming toward the ketch.
"Start firing!" Sorensen said. "Eakins, get out of there!"
"I've got the transmitter going," Eakins said. "I just need a couple of
minutes more to get a message off."
* * * * *
Bullets sent up white splashes around the swimming rats. One was hit;
the other two managed to put the ketch between them and the riflemen.
Studying the reef with his binoculars, Sorensen saw an anteater cross
the reef and splash into the water. It was followed by a wild pig.
There was a crackle of static from the walkie-talkie. Sorensen called,
"Eakins, have you got that message off?"
"Haven't sent it," Eakins called back. "Listen, Bill. We _mustn't_ send
any messages! That bug wants--" He stopped abruptly.
"What is it?" Sorensen asked. "What's happening?"
Eakins had appeared on deck, still holding the walkie-talkie. He was
backing toward the stern.
"Hermit crabs," he said. "They climbed up the anchor line. I'm going to
swim to shore."
"Don't do it," Sorensen said.
"Gotta do it," Eakins said. "They'll probably follow me. All of you
come out here and _get that transmitter_. Bring it ashore."
Through his binoculars, Sorensen could see a solid gray carpet of
hermit crabs crawling down the deck and waterways of the ketch. Eakins
jumped into the water. He swam furiously toward shore, and Sorensen saw
the rats turn and follow him. Hermit crabs swarmed off the boat, and
the wild pig and the anteater paddled after him, trying to head him off
before he reached the beach.
"Come on," Sorensen said. "I don't know what Eakins figured out, but we
better get that transmitter while we have a chance."
They ran down the beach and put the launch into the water. Two hundred
yards away, Eakins had reached the far edge of the beach with the
animals in close pursuit. He broke into the jungle, still clinging to
his walkie-talkie.
"Eakins?" Sorensen asked into the walkie-talkie.
"I'm all right," Eakins said, panting hard for air. "Get that
transmitter, and don't forget the batteries!"
The men boarded the ketch. Working furiously, they ripped the
transmitter off its bulkhead and dragged it up the companionway steps.
Drake came last, carrying a twelve-volt battery. He went down again and
brought up a second battery. He hesitated a moment, then went below for
a third time.
"Drake!" Sorensen shouted. "Quit holding us up!"
Drake reappeared, carrying the ketch's two radio direction finders and
the compass. He handed them down and jumped into the launch.
"OK," he said. "Let's go."
* * * * *
They rowed to the beach. Sorensen was trying to re-establish contact
with Eakins on the walkie-talkie, but all he could hear was static.
Then, as the launch grounded on the beach, he heard Eakins' voice.
"I'm surrounded," he said, very quietly. "I guess I'll have to see what
Mr. Bug wants. Maybe I can swat him first, though."
There was a long silence. Then Eakins said, "It's coming toward me now.
Drake was right. It sure isn't like any bug _I've_ ever seen. I'm going
to swat hell out of--"
They heard him scream, more in surprise than pain.