The ball had bounded away and been captured by one of the youngsters, but Sawyer didn't look for it.

With a leap he started toward Steve.

The latter realised that Sawyer meant to wreak vengeance, and that the matter had got past the stage of fun.

Here, it seemed, was a time when discretion was the better part of valour, and Steve dived.
Fortunately, he was a good swimmer.

Turning quickly under water, he raced toward the far end of the tank.