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"The adht," said Giordino "There could be a dozen cascades like the one Pitt and I went over Even with a Hovercraft like the Wallowing Windbag, it's extreh a hundred kilometers of water peppered with rapids and rocks"

"If that isn't enough," added Duncan, "there's the sub in the Gulf Without an a would be inescapable"

How far do you think he ht drift?" Sandecker asked him

"From the treasure chamber?"

"Yes"

Duncan thought a ed to reach a dry shore within five hundred uideline and safely send hiainst the current"

"And if no sign of Pitt is found before the guideline runs out?" asked Giordino

Duncan shrugged solemnly "Then if his body doesn't surface in the Gulf, we'll never find him"

"Is there any hope for Dirk?" Loren pleaded "Any hope at all?"

Duncan looked fro All eyes reflected abject hopelessness and their faces were etched with despair He turned back to Loren and said gently, "I can't lie to you, Miss Sreat discoood as any badly injuredcast adrift in the Colorado River at the entrance to the Grand Canyon"

The words caan to sway on her feet Giordino reached out and grabbed her arm It seemed that her heart stopped, and she whispered, "To me, Dirk Pitt will never die"

"The fish are a little shy today," said Joe Hagen to his wife, Claire

She was lying on her belly on the roof of the boat'sa purple bikini with the halter untied, reading a lasses on top of her head and laughed "You couldn't catch a fish if it jumped up and landed in the boat"

He laughed "Just wait and see"

"The only fish you'll find this far north in the Gulf is shried