CHAPTER XXII.
THE SEARCH AT THE BOTTOM OF THE BAY By the strongest effort of the will that he could make, Darrin steadied himself and forced his eyes once more open.
Drifting toward him, two feet above his head, was what looked like another shadow.

It came closer.
At the first thought Darrin was inclined not to believe his senses.
"I'll have to go up, after all, and let Dan have his chance.

I'm seeing things," Dave decided.
For, though the object floating toward him had some of the semblance of a skirt-clad figure, yet it looked all out of proportion---perhaps twice the size of Pauline Butler.
That was a trick of the scanty light coming through the water at an angle---this coupled with Darrin's own fatigue of the eyes.
Closer it came, and looked a bit smaller.
"It is a girl---a woman---some human being!" throbbed Dave internally.
Now, though his head seeming bursting, Dave hung on more tightly than ever.

The drift of the water was bringing the body slowly nearer to him.

He must hold on until he could let himself strike upward, seizing that body in his progress.
At last the moment arrived.