10 Gorilla Adventure (19 page)

‘Where is it?’ Hal asked.

‘In one of the most exciting seas in the world. Near Australia, just off the Great Barrier Reef.’

Roger came alive. He had read thrilling stories of the dangerous water and swarming sea life along the Great Barrier Reef, longest coral reef in the world.

‘Could we get in on this deal?’ he asked eagerly.

‘You’re invited,’ John Hunt said. ‘They know about your underwater work in the Pacific. One of the scientists they need is a naturalist. He must be young, strong, and experienced. They think Hal would fill the bill.’

Hal was elated. Roger was gloomy.

‘But how about me?’ Roger said.

‘They also need an errand boy.’

‘Errand boy! You’re kidding. An errand boy at the bottom of the sea?’

‘Exactly. You would have your own diving saucer. You would run errands - carrying up specimens to the surface ship, bringing down supplies. And helping your brother catch deep-sea creatures, large and small, that are needed for study in aquariums and laboratories.’

‘My own diving saucer,’ Roger chuckled.

‘Don’t think it will be just a big game,’ his father warned. ‘Plenty of hard work. And danger. The sharks along that reef are the world’s worst. Australia reports more killings by sharks than all other countries put together. If you get tossed up on the shores of New Guinea, look out for cannibals. Think about it seriously.’

And the outcome of the more or less serious thought that the boys devoted to this proposal will be recounted in the next book, Diving Adventure.