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Once past the barrier reef the blue, contorted sea becaht turquoise Dorsett ca, one arm locked around Betsy's waist

"Can you swihed

She shook her head violently, sputtering out the seawater she'd sed "Not a stroke"

He pulled her along as he swa less than ten feet away He soon reached it and draped Betsy's ar for breath, heart pounding, his weakened body exhausted from the exertion of the last hour

After taking awreckage and took count

Scaggs and two of his sailors were a short distance away and still a that wasoff

boards to use as paddies Of the convicts, he spotted twoto various bits and pieces of what remained of the raft of the Gladiator

Dorsett turned and looked toward the shore A beautiful white sandy beach beckoned less than a quarter of a mile away Then he heard a nearby shout

"You and Betsy hang on," Scaggs hailed him "We'll pick you and the others up and then work toward shore"

Dorsett waved in reply and gave Betsy a kiss on the forehead "Mind you don't letdry land in half an hour--"

He broke off in sudden panic, his joy short lived

The tall fin of a great white shark was circling the wreckage in search of new prey The Executioner had followed theoon

It wasn't fair, Dorsett screaination only to have salvation snatched froertips by the jaws of death was a foul injustice Feere the men and wohtly in his ar, headed in their direction and slowly slipped beneath the surface

His heart froze as he waited helplessly for the jagged teeth to snap shut on his body

Then, without warning, the second miracle occurred