Spartan_JJ Gold_NN1 Sam_NP1 Fargo_NP1 rose_VVD from_II his_APPGE crouch_NN1 and_CC glanced_VVD over_RP at_II his_APPGE wife_NN1 ,_, who_PNQS stood_VVD up_II21 to_II22 her_APPGE waist_NN1 in_II oozing_VVG black_JJ mud_NN1 ._. 
Her_APPGE bright_JJ yellow_JJ chest_NN1 waders_NN2 complemented_VVD her_APPGE lustrous_JJ auburn_JJ hair_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 sensed_VVD his_APPGE gaze_NN1 ,_, turned_VVD to_II him_PPHO1 ,_, pursed_VVN her_APPGE lips_NN2 ,_, and_CC blew_VVN a_AT1 wisp_NN1 of_IO hair_NN1 from_II her_APPGE cheek_NN1 ._. 
"_" And_CC just_RR what_DDQ are_VBR you_PPY smiling_VVG at_II ,_, Fargo_NP1 ?_? "_" she_PPHS1 asked_VVD ._. 
When_CS she_PPHS1 'd_VHD first_MD donned_VVN the_AT waders_NN2 he_PPHS1 'd_VHD made_VVN the_AT mistake_NN1 of_IO suggesting_VVG she_PPHS1 looked_VVD like_II the_AT Gorton_NP1 's_GE Fisherman_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ had_VHD earned_VVN him_PPHO1 a_AT1 withering_JJ stare_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 'd_VHD hastily_RR added_VVN "_" sexy_JJ "_" to_II the_AT description_NN1 ,_, but_CCB to_II little_JJ effect_NN1 ._. 
"_" You_PPY ,_, "_" he_PPHS1 now_RT replied_VVD ._. 
"_" You_PPY look_VV0 beautiful_JJ --_JJ Longstreet_NN1 ._. "_" 
When_CS Remi_NP1 was_VBDZ annoyed_JJ at_II him_PPHO1 she_PPHS1 called_VVD him_PPHO1 by_II his_APPGE last_MD name_NN1 ;_; he_PPHS1 always_RR responded_VVN in_II kind_NN1 with_IW her_APPGE maiden_JJ name_NN1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 held_VVD up_RP her_APPGE arms_NN2 ,_, coated_VVN to_II the_AT elbows_NN2 in_II slime_NN1 ,_, then_RT said_VVD with_IW a_AT1 barely_RR concealed_JJ smile_NN1 ,_, "_" You_PPY 're_VBR crazy_JJ ._. 
My_APPGE face_NN1 is_VBZ covered_VVN in_II mosquito_NN1 bites_NN2 ,_, and_CC my_APPGE hair_NN1 is_VBZ flatter_JJR than_CSN paper_NN1 ._. "_" 
She_PPHS1 scratched_VVD her_APPGE chin_NN1 ,_, leaving_VVG behind_II a_AT1 dollop_NN1 of_IO mud_NN1 ._. 
"_" It_PPH1 simply_RR adds_VVZ to_II your_APPGE charm_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" Liar_NN1 ._. "_" 
Despite_II the_AT look_NN1 of_IO disgust_NN1 on_II her_APPGE face_NN1 ,_, Sam_NP1 knew_VVD Remi_NP1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 trouper_NN1 without_IW peer_NN1 ._. 
Once_CS she_PPHS1 set_VVD her_APPGE mind_NN1 on_II a_AT1 goal_NN1 ,_, no_AT amount_NN1 of_IO discomfort_NN1 would_VM dissuade_VVI her_PPHO1 ._. 
"_" Well_RR ,_, "_" she_PPHS1 said_VVD ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 have_VH0 to_TO admit_VVI ,_, you_PPY do_VD0 look_VVI rather_RG dashing_JJ yourself_PPX1 ._. "_" 
Sam_NP1 tipped_VVD his_APPGE tattered_JJ Panama_NP1 hat_NN1 at_II her_PPHO1 ,_, then_RT went_VVD back_RP to_II work_NN1 ,_, scooping_VVG mud_NN1 from_II around_II a_AT1 length_NN1 of_IO submerged_JJ wood_NN1 he_PPHS1 hoped_VVD was_VBDZ part_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 chest_NN1 ._. 
For_IF the_AT past_JJ three_MC days_NNT2 they_PPHS2 'd_VHD been_VBN plodding_VVG through_II the_AT swamp_NN1 ,_, searching_VVG for_IF that_DD1 one_MC1 clue_NN1 that_CST might_VM prove_VVI they_PPHS2 were_VBDR n't_XX on_II a_AT1 wild-goose_JJ chase_NN1 ._. 
Neither_DD1 of_IO them_PPHO2 minded_VVD a_AT1 good_JJ goose_NN1 chase_NN1 --_NN1 in_II treasure_NN1 hunting_NN1 it_PPH1 came_VVD with_IW the_AT turf_NN1 --_NN1 but_CCB it_PPH1 was_VBDZ always_RR better_JJR to_TO catch_VVI the_AT goose_NN1 in_II the_AT end_NN1 ._. 
In_II this_DD1 case_NN1 ,_, the_AT goose_NN1 in_II question_NN1 was_VBDZ based_VVN on_II an_AT1 obscure_JJ legend_NN1 ._. 
While_CS the_AT nearby_JJ Chesapeake_NP1 and_CC Delaware_NP1 bays_NN2 were_VBDR said_VVN to_TO be_VBI home_RL of_IO nearly_RR four_MC thousand_NNO shipwrecks_NN2 ,_, the_AT prize_NN1 Sam_NP1 and_CC Remi_NP1 were_VBDR after_RT was_VBDZ land_NN1 based_VVN ._. 
A_AT1 month_NNT1 earlier_RRR Ted_NP1 Frobisher_NP1 ,_, a_AT1 fellow_JJ treasure_NN1 hunter_NN1 who_PNQS 'd_VHD retired_VVN not_XX long_RR ago_RA to_TO concentrate_VVI on_II his_APPGE antique_JJ shop_NN1 in_II Princess_NNB Anne_NP1 ,_, had_VHD sent_VVN them_PPHO2 a_AT1 brooch_NN1 with_IW an_AT1 intriguing_JJ provenance_NN1 ._. 
The_AT pear-shaped_JJ gold_NN1 and_CC jade_NN1 brooch_NN1 was_VBDZ said_VVN to_TO have_VHI belonged_VVN to_II a_AT1 local_JJ woman_NN1 named_VVD Henrietta_NP1 Bronson_NP1 ,_, one_MC1 of_IO the_AT first_MD victims_NN2 of_IO the_AT notorious_JJ outlaw_NN1 Martha_NP1 "_" Patty_NP1 "_" (_( a.k.a_NNU ._. 
Lucretia_NP1 )_) Cannon_NN ._. 
According_II21 to_II22 legend_NN1 Martha_NP1 Cannon_NP1 was_VBDZ a_AT1 tough_JJ ,_, ruthless_JJ woman_NN1 who_PNQS in_II the_AT 1820s_MC2 not_XX only_RR stalked_VVD the_AT wilds_NN2 of_IO the_AT Delaware-Maryland_NP1 border_NN1 with_IW her_APPGE gang_NN1 ,_, robbing_VVG and_CC murdering_VVG the_AT wealthy_JJ and_CC poor_JJ alike_JJ ,_, but_CCB who_PNQS also_RR ran_VVD a_AT1 hostel_NN1 in_II what_DDQ was_VBDZ then_RT called_VVN Johnson_NP1 's_GE Corners_NN2 ,_, today_RT Reliance_NN1 ._. 
Cannon_NN would_VM lure_VVI travelers_NN2 into_II her_APPGE establishment_NN1 and_CC feed_NN1 ,_, entertain_VV0 ,_, and_CC tuck_VV0 them_PPHO2 in_RP to_II bed_NN1 before_II murdering_VVG them_PPHO2 in_II the_AT middle_NN1 of_IO the_AT night_NNT1 ._. 
She_PPHS1 would_VM drag_VVI the_AT bodies_NN2 into_II the_AT basement_NN1 ,_, take_VV0 anything_PN1 of_IO value_NN1 ,_, then_RT stack_VV0 them_PPHO2 in_II the_AT corner_NN1 like_II cordwood_NN1 until_CS she_PPHS1 'd_VHD accumulated_VVN enough_RR to_TO warrant_VVI a_AT1 wagon_NN1 trip_NN1 to_II a_AT1 nearby_JJ forest_NN1 ,_, where_CS she_PPHS1 would_VM bury_VVI them_PPHO2 en_RR21 masse_RR22 ._. 
Horrific_JJ as_CSA that_DD1 was_VBDZ ,_, Cannon_NN would_VM later_RRR commit_VVI what_DDQ many_DA2 considered_VVD her_APPGE most_RGT heinous_JJ crimes_NN2 ._. 
Cannon_NN established_VVD what_DDQ many_DA2 local_JJ historians_NN2 had_VHD dubbed_VVN a_AT1 "_" reverse_JJ underground_JJ railroad_NN1 ,_, "_" kidnapping_NN1 freed_VVD southern_JJ slaves_NN2 and_CC keeping_VVG them_PPHO2 bound_VVD and_CC gagged_VVN in_II the_AT inn_NN1 's_GE many_DA2 secret_JJ rooms_NN2 and_CC its_APPGE makeshift_JJ earthen_JJ dungeon_NN1 before_II sneaking_VVG them_PPHO2 in_II the_AT dark_NN1 of_IO the_AT night_NNT1 to_II Cannon_NN 's_GE Ferry_NN1 ,_, where_CS they_PPHS2 would_VM be_VBI sold_VVN and_CC loaded_VVN onto_II ships_NN2 headed_VVN down_RP the_AT Nanticoke_NP1 River_NNL1 bound_VVD for_IF Georgia_NP1 's_GE slave_NN1 markets_NN2 ._. 
In_II 1829_MC ,_, while_CS plowing_VVG a_AT1 field_NN1 on_II one_MC1 of_IO Cannon_NN 's_GE farms_NN2 ,_, a_AT1 worker_NN1 uncovered_VVD several_DA2 partially_RR decomposed_JJ bodies_NN2 ._. 
Cannon_NN was_VBDZ speedily_RR indicted_VVN on_II four_MC counts_NN2 of_IO murder_NN1 ,_, found_VVD guilty_JJ ,_, and_CC sentenced_VVN to_II prison_NN1 ._. 
Four_MC years_NNT2 later_RRR she_PPHS1 died_VVD in_II her_APPGE cell_NN1 by_II what_DDQ most_RRT agreed_VVN was_VBDZ suicide_NN1 by_II arsenic_NN1 ._. 
In_II subsequent_JJ years_NNT2 both_RR Cannon_NN 's_GE crimes_NN2 and_CC her_APPGE ultimate_JJ demise_NN1 grew_VVD in_II myth_NN1 ,_, ranging_VVG from_II the_AT claim_NN1 that_CST Cannon_NN had_VHD escaped_VVN from_II prison_NN1 and_CC went_VVN on_II murdering_VVG and_CC robbing_VVG far_RR into_II her_APPGE nineties_MC2 ,_, to_II tales_NN2 that_CST have_VH0 her_APPGE ghost_NN1 still_RR roaming_VVG the_AT Delmarva_NP1 Peninsula_NN1 ,_, waylaying_VVG unsuspecting_JJ hikers_NN2 ._. 
What_DDQ few_DA2 people_NN disputed_VVD was_VBDZ that_DD1 Cannon_NN 's_GE loot_NN1 --_NN1 of_IO which_DDQ she_PPHS1 'd_VHD reportedly_RR spent_VVN only_RR a_AT1 fraction_NN1 --_NN1 had_VHD never_RR been_VBN recovered_VVN ._. 
Estimates_NN2 put_VV0 the_AT treasure_NN1 's_GE present-day_JJ value_NN1 somewhere_RL between_II $100,000_NNU and_CC $400,000_NNU ._. 
Sam_NP1 and_CC Remi_NP1 had_VHD of_RR21 course_RR22 heard_VVN the_AT legend_NN1 of_IO Patty_NP1 Cannon_NP1 's_GE treasure_NN1 ,_, but_CCB lacking_VVG solid_JJ leads_NN2 they_PPHS2 'd_VHD consigned_VVN it_PPH1 to_II the_AT "_" someday_RT "_" file_VV0 ._. 
With_IW the_AT emergence_NN1 of_IO Henrietta_NP1 Bronson_NP1 's_GE brooch_NN1 and_CC an_AT1 exact_JJ datum_NN1 with_IW which_DDQ to_TO begin_VVI their_APPGE search_NN1 ,_, they_PPHS2 'd_VHD decided_VVN to_TO tackle_VVI the_AT mystery_NN1 ._. 
After_II spending_VVG the_AT past_JJ eight_MC hours_NNT2 first_MD roasting_JJ in_II the_AT hot_JJ sun_NN1 and_CC then_RT navigating_VVG a_AT1 shark_NN1 's_GE mouth_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 reef_NN1 break_NN1 ,_, the_AT shaded_JJ lagoon_NN1 felt_VVD like_II paradise_NN1 ._. 
Roughly_RR one_MC1 hundred_NNO feet_NN2 in_II diameter_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 was_VBDZ sheltered_VVN to_II the_AT north_ND1 and_CC south_ND1 by_II curved_JJ thumbs_NN2 of_IO land_NN1 choked_VVN with_IW scrub_NN1 pine_NN1 and_CC palms_NN2 ._. 
The_AT cliff_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ rose_VVD thirty_MC vertical_JJ feet_NN2 from_II the_AT water_NN1 ,_, was_VBDZ blanketed_VVN in_II vines_NN2 ,_, foliage_NN1 ,_, and_CC overhanging_JJ banyan_JJ trees_NN2 --_NN1 the_AT two_MC most_RGT prominent_JJ ones_NN2 forming_VVG the_AT goat_NN1 's_GE horns_NN2 ._. 
To_II the_AT left_NN1 of_IO the_AT cliff_NN1 lay_VVD a_AT1 crescent_NN1 of_IO white_JJ sand_NN1 roughly_RR the_AT size_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 standard_JJ house_NN1 deck_NN1 ._. 
With_IW the_AT sun_NN1 on_II its_APPGE downward_JJ arc_NN1 toward_II nightfall_NNT1 ,_, the_AT lagoon_NN1 was_VBDZ cast_VVN in_II deep_JJ shade_NN1 ._. 
The_AT water_NN1 was_VBDZ glass_NN1 calm_NN1 ._. 
In_II the_AT canopy_NN1 came_VVD a_AT1 symphony_NN1 of_IO squawks_NN2 and_CC buzzes_NN2 ._. 
"_" Not_XX a_AT1 bad_JJ place_NN1 to_TO spend_VVI the_AT night_NNT1 ,_, "_" Remi_NP1 agreed_VVD ._. 
"_" Not_XX the_AT Four_MC Seasons_NNT2 ,_, but_CCB it_PPH1 does_VDZ have_VHI a_AT1 certain_JJ charm_NN1 ._. 
The_AT question_NN1 is_VBZ ,_, are_VBR we_PPIS2 in_II the_AT right_JJ place_NN1 ?_? "_" 
"_" I_PPIS1 do_VD0 n't_XX know_VVI the_AT answer_NN1 to_II that_DD1 ,_, but_CCB one_MC1 thing_NN1 's_VBZ for_RR21 certain_RR22 :_: We_PPIS2 've_VH0 got_VVN a_AT1 cave_NN1 ._. "_" 
Sam_NP1 pointed_VVD ,_, then_RT turned_VVD the_AT rudder_NN1 and_CC steered_VVD toward_II the_AT cliff_NN1 face_NN1 ,_, throttling_VVG down_RP as_CSA he_PPHS1 drew_VVD alongside_RL it_PPH1 ._. 
The_AT water_NN1 here_RL ,_, moving_VVG in_II a_AT1 barely_RR perceptible_JJ clockwise_JJ rotation_NN1 ,_, gave_VVD off_RP a_AT1 faint_JJ iridescent_JJ shimmer_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ generally_RR indicated_VVN an_AT1 outflow_NN1 of_IO fresh_JJ water_NN1 ._. 
Sam_NP1 dug_VVD out_RP his_APPGE dive_NN1 goggles_NN2 from_II the_AT duffel_NN1 bag_NN1 at_II his_APPGE feet_NN2 ,_, pressed_VVD them_PPHO2 to_II his_APPGE eyes_NN2 ,_, and_CC dipped_VVD his_APPGE face_NN1 into_II the_AT water_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ ,_, despite_II being_VBG warmed_VVN by_II the_AT sun_NN1 all_DB day_NNT1 ,_, felt_VVD cool_JJ on_II his_APPGE skin_NN1 ._. 
Dozens_NNO2 of_IO fish_NN darted_VVD this_DD1 way_NN1 and_CC that_DD1 ,_, squabbling_VVG over_RP invisible_JJ bits_NN2 of_IO nutrients_NN2 being_VBG stirred_VVN up_RP by_II the_AT freshwater_JJ current_JJ ._. 
Sam_NP1 lifted_VVD his_APPGE head_NN1 out_RP ._. 
He_PPHS1 dipped_VVD his_APPGE fingertip_NN1 into_II the_AT water_NN1 and_CC brought_VVD it_PPH1 to_II his_APPGE lips_NN2 ._. 
It_PPH1 tasted_VVD only_RR about_RG a_AT1 third_MD as_RG salty_JJ as_CSA true_JJ seawater_NN1 ._. 
"_" Underground_JJ river_NN1 ?_? "_" 
Remi_NN2 asked_VVD ._. 
"_" Has_VHZ to_TO be_VBI ,_, "_" Sam_NP1 replied_VVD ,_, shaking_VVG the_AT water_NN1 from_II his_APPGE hair_NN1 ._. 
Though_CS it_PPH1 was_VBDZ an_AT1 uncommon_JJ phenomenon_NN1 ,_, sea_NN1 caves_NN2 in_II this_DD1 area_NN1 did_VDD on_II occasion_NN1 link_VV0 up_RP with_IW both_DB2 solutional_JJ and_CC fracture-guided_JJ caves_NN2 ,_, which_DDQ in_II turn_NN1 joined_VVD underground_JJ inland_JJ streams_NN2 ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 'll_VM have_VHI to_TO look_VVI at_II a_AT1 map_NN1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 think_VV0 we_PPIS2 're_VBR only_RR a_AT1 couple_NN1 miles_NNU2 from_II Lake_NNL1 George_NP1 ._. 
I_PPIS1 would_VM n't_XX be_VBI surprised_JJ if_CS this_DD1 system_NN1 dumps_NN2 out_RP there_RL ._. 
Or_CC even_RR down_RP to_II Salt_NP1 Lake_NNL1 ._. "_" 
"_" Neither_DD1 would_VM I_PPIS1 ,_, but_CCB if_CS you_PPY do_VD0 n't_XX mind_VVI I_PPIS1 'd_VM prefer_VVI we_PPIS2 put_VV0 that_DD1 adventure_NN1 on_II our_APPGE 'someday'_JJ list_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" Deal_VV0 ._. "_" 
Sam_NP1 checked_VVD his_APPGE watch_NN1 ._. 
High_JJ tide_NN1 was_VBDZ thirty_MC minutes_NNT2 away_RL ._. 
If_CS they_PPHS2 were_VBDR going_VVGK to_TO explore_VVI the_AT cave_NN1 ,_, they_PPHS2 'd_VM have_VHI to_TO do_VDI it_PPH1 within_II the_AT next_MD hour_NNT1 lest_CS they_PPHS2 find_VV0 themselves_PPX2 fighting_VVG the_AT full_JJ force_NN1 of_IO the_AT outflow_NN1 ._. 
Ideally_RR ,_, they_PPHS2 would_VM enter_VVI at_II the_AT end_NN1 of_IO the_AT inflow_NN1 ,_, use_VV0 the_AT forty-five-_NN1 to_II sixty-minute_JJ window_NN1 of_IO relatively_RR calm_VV0 current_JJ to_TO explore_VVI the_AT cave_NN1 ,_, then_RT ride_VV0 the_AT outflow_NN1 back_NN1 out_RP ._. 
The_AT problem_NN1 was_VBDZ ,_, this_DD1 was_VBDZ not_XX a_AT1 typical_JJ closed_JJ sea_NN1 cave_NN1 ._. 
The_AT source_NN1 of_IO the_AT underground_JJ river_NN1 inside_RL would_VM create_VVI volatile_JJ currents_NN2 that_CST could_VM either_RR trap_VVI them_PPHO2 inside_RL or_CC suck_VV0 them_PPHO2 into_II fracture_NN1 tunnels_NN2 that_CST led_VVD into_II the_AT bowels_NN2 of_IO the_AT island_NN1 ._. 
Neither_DD1 option_NN1 appealed_VVN to_II Sam_NP1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 put_VVD the_AT question_NN1 to_II Remi_NP1 ,_, who_PNQS replied_VVD ,_, "_" I_PPIS1 'd_VM rather_RR we_PPIS2 wait_VV0 ,_, but_CCB I_PPIS1 know_VV0 that_CST look_VV0 in_II your_APPGE eye_NN1 :_: You_PPY want_VV0 to_TO go_VVI in_RP ._. "_" 
"_" Better_RRR we_PPIS2 find_VV0 out_RP now_RT if_CS we_PPIS2 're_VBR on_II the_AT right_JJ track_NN1 ._. 
We_PPIS2 've_VH0 got_VVN seventy-five_MC feet_NN2 of_IO rope_NN1 ._. 
We_PPIS2 tie_VV0 one_MC1 end_NN1 to_II a_AT1 banyan_JJ root_NN1 out_RP here_RL ,_, the_AT other_JJ end_NN1 to_II my_APPGE weight_NN1 belt_NN1 ._. 
If_CS I_PPIS1 get_VV0 into_II trouble_NN1 ,_, I_PPIS1 can_VM haul_VVI myself_PPX1 out_RP ._. "_" 
"_" And_CC if_CS you_PPY bonk_VV0 your_APPGE head_NN1 and_CC are_VBR out_RP cold_JJ ?_? "_" 
"_" Every_AT1 sixty_MC seconds_NNT2 I_PPIS1 'll_VM give_VVI the_AT line_NN1 three_MC tugs_NN2 ._. 
I_PPIS1 miss_VV0 one_MC1 of_IO those_DD2 and_CC you_PPY haul_VV0 me_PPIO1 out_RP using_VVG the_AT dinghy_NN1 ._. "_" 
"_" Time_NNT1 limit_NN1 ?_? "_" 
"_" Ten_MC minutes_NNT2 ,_, not_XX a_AT1 second_NNT1 more_RRR ._. "_" 
Remi_NN2 considered_VVD this_DD1 for_IF a_AT1 few_DA2 moments_NN2 ,_, narrowed_VVD her_APPGE eyes_NN2 at_II him_PPHO1 ,_, then_RT sighed_VVD ._. 
"_" Okay_RR ,_, Jacques_NP1 Cousteau_NP1 ._. 
Remember_VV0 what_DDQ I_PPIS1 said_VVD ,_, though_CS :_: If_CS you_PPY die_VV0 ,_, I_PPIS1 'll_VM never_RR forgive_VVI you_PPY ._. "_" 
Sam_NP1 smiled_VVD and_CC gave_VVD her_PPHO1 a_AT1 wink_NN1 ._. 
"_" Deal_VV0 ._. "_" 
The_AT water_NN1 enveloped_VVD him_PPHO1 ,_, so_RG cold_JJ it_PPH1 momentarily_RR stunned_VVD him_PPHO1 like_II an_AT1 electrical_JJ charge_NN1 ._. 
Fighting_VVG his_APPGE natural_JJ instinct_NN1 to_II surface_NN1 for_IF air_NN1 ,_, Sam_NP1 instead_RR did_VDD the_AT opposite_JJ ._. 
With_IW the_AT man_NN1 still_RR wrapped_VVN in_II a_AT1 bear_NN1 hug_NN1 ,_, he_PPHS1 rolled_VVD over_RP ,_, flipped_VVD his_APPGE legs_NN2 straight_RR up_RP ,_, and_CC kicked_VVD ,_, driving_VVG them_PPHO2 deeper_RRR ._. 
The_AT man_NN1 was_VBDZ stunned_VVN ,_, and_CC with_IW his_APPGE shattered_JJ nose_NN1 he_PPHS1 'd_VHD hopefully_RR been_VBN unable_JK to_TO snatch_VVI a_AT1 last-second_MD breath_NN1 ._. 
The_AT man_NN1 thrashed_VVD ,_, punched_VVD wildly_RR with_IW his_APPGE right_JJ arm_NN1 ._. 
Sam_NP1 took_VVD the_AT blows_NN2 and_CC held_VVD on_RP ._. 
The_AT man_NN1 suddenly_RR stopped_VVN punching_VVG ._. 
Sam_NP1 felt_VVD his_APPGE arm_NN1 between_II them_PPHO2 ._. 
He_PPHS1 looked_VVD down_RP ._. 
Through_II the_AT dark_JJ water_NN1 and_CC froth_NN1 he_PPHS1 saw_VVD the_AT man_NN1 's_GE hand_NN1 reaching_VVG under_II his_APPGE jacket_NN1 ._. 
The_AT hand_NN1 came_VVD out_RP clutching_VVG a_AT1 knife_NN1 ._. 
Sam_NP1 grabbed_VVD the_AT forearm_NN1 ,_, tried_VVD to_TO shove_VVI it_PPH1 sideways_RL ._. 
The_AT knife_NN1 arced_VVD upward_RL ._. 
Sam_NP1 pushed_VVD off_RP ._. 
The_AT blade_NN1 sliced_VVN through_II his_APPGE shirt_NN1 ;_; he_PPHS1 felt_VVD a_AT1 sting_NN1 as_CSA it_PPH1 sliced_VVD across_II his_APPGE abdomen_NN1 ._. 
The_AT blade_NN1 kept_VVD rising_VVG ._. 
Sam_NP1 released_VVD his_APPGE grip_NN1 on_II the_AT man_NN1 's_GE other_JJ wrist_NN1 ,_, clamped_VVD it_PPH1 around_II the_AT man_NN1 's_GE knife_NN1 hand_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 sensed_VVD rather_II21 than_II22 saw_NN1 the_AT blade_NN1 nearing_VVG his_APPGE throat_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 jerked_VVD his_APPGE head_NN1 back_NN1 ,_, turned_VVD it_PPH1 to_II one_MC1 side_NN1 ._. 
The_AT tip_NN1 of_IO the_AT knife_NN1 skipped_VVD over_II the_AT point_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE jawline_NN1 beneath_II his_APPGE earlobe_NN1 ,_, pierced_VVD the_AT upper_JJ curve_NN1 of_IO his_APPGE ear_NN1 ,_, and_CC sliced_VVD cleanly_RR through_RP ._. 
A_AT1 dozen_NNO years_NNT2 of_IO judo_NN1 had_VHD taught_VVN Sam_NP1 the_AT power_NN1 of_IO leverage_NN1 ._. 
The_AT man_NN1 ,_, having_VHG extended_VVN his_APPGE more_RGR powerful_JJ right_JJ arm_NN1 above_II his_APPGE head_NN1 ,_, was_VBDZ at_II that_DD1 moment_NN1 at_II his_APPGE weakest_JJT ._. 
Sam_NP1 was_VBDZ n't_XX about_RPK to_TO let_VVI the_AT advantage_NN1 pass_NN1 ._. 
Left_JJ hand_NN1 still_RR gripping_VVG the_AT man_NN1 's_GE knife_NN1 wrist_NN1 ,_, Sam_NP1 reversed_VVD his_APPGE right-hand_JJ grip_NN1 ,_, cupped_VVN the_AT back_NN1 of_IO the_AT man_NN1 's_GE hand_NN1 ,_, then_RT jerked_VVD down_RP and_CC twisted_VVN at_II the_AT same_DA time_NNT1 ._. 
With_IW a_AT1 dull_JJ pop_NN1 ,_, the_AT man_NN1 's_GE ulna_NN1 tore_VVD free_JJ from_II his_APPGE wrist_NN1 ._. 
The_AT man_NN1 's_GE mouth_NN1 flew_VVD open_JJ and_CC he_PPHS1 let_VVD out_RP a_AT1 muffled_JJ scream_NN1 amid_II a_AT1 stream_NN1 of_IO bubbles_NN2 ._. 
Sam_NP1 kept_VVD twisting_JJ ,_, heard_VVD the_AT grating_JJ of_IO bone_NN1 on_II bone_NN1 ._. 
The_AT knife_NN1 fell_VVD away_RL and_CC dropped_VVN out_II21 of_II22 sight_NN1 ._. 
Sam_NP1 rolled_VVD again_RT ,_, kicked_VVD downward_RL ._. 
They_PPHS2 thumped_VVD into_II the_AT bottom_NN1 ._. 
The_AT man_NN1 clawed_VVD at_II Sam_NP1 's_GE eyes_NN2 with_IW his_APPGE left_JJ hand_NN1 ._. 
Sam_NP1 clenched_VVD his_APPGE eyes_NN2 shut_VV0 ,_, turned_VVD his_APPGE head_NN1 away_RL ,_, then_RT drove_VVD his_APPGE right_JJ hand_NN1 up_RP and_CC palm-butted_JJ the_AT man_NN1 in_II the_AT chin_NN1 ._. 
The_AT man_NN1 's_GE head_NN1 snapped_VVD backward_RL ._. 
Sam_NP1 heard_VVD a_AT1 sickening_JJ crunch_NN1 ._. 
The_AT man_NN1 jerked_VVD once_RR ,_, twice_RR ,_, then_RT went_VVD still_RR ._. 
Sam_NP1 opened_VVD his_APPGE eyes_NN2 ._. 
The_AT man_NN1 's_GE own_DA eyes_NN2 ,_, fixed_JJ and_CC lifeless_JJ ,_, stared_VVD back_RP ._. 
Behind_II the_AT man_NN1 's_GE head_NN1 a_AT1 jagged_JJ ,_, triangular-shaped_JJ rock_NN1 jutted_VVD from_II the_AT sandy_JJ bottom_NN1 ._. 
Sam_NP1 let_VVD him_PPHO1 go_VV0 and_CC he_PPHS1 floated_VVD away_RL ,_, trailing_VVG tendrils_NN2 of_IO blood_NN1 as_CSA he_PPHS1 bumped_VVD along_II the_AT bottom_NN1 ._. 
After_CS a_AT1 few_DA2 moments_NN2 he_PPHS1 disappeared_VVD into_II the_AT gloom_NN1 ._. 
Sam_NP1 coiled_VVD his_APPGE legs_NN2 and_CC pushed_VVD himself_PPX1 off_II the_AT bottom_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 broke_VVD the_AT surface_NN1 beneath_II one_MC1 of_IO the_AT plank_NN1 walkways_NN2 and_CC laid_VVD his_APPGE head_NN1 back_NN1 and_CC gulped_VVD air_NN1 until_CS his_APPGE vision_NN1 began_VVD to_TO clear_VVI ._. 
"_" Sam_NP1 !_! "_" 
Remi_NN2 called_VVN ._. 
"_" Here_RL ,_, this_DD1 way_NN1 ,_, come_VV0 on_RP !_! "_" 
Sam_NP1 paddled_VVD toward_II her_APPGE voice_NN1 ._. 
Draped_VVN in_II soaked_JJ clothes_NN2 ,_, his_APPGE arms_NN2 felt_VVD as_CS21 if_CS22 they_PPHS2 were_VBDR stroking_VVG through_II molasses_NN1 ._. 
He_PPHS1 felt_VVD Remi_NP1 's_GE hands_NN2 gripping_JJ his_PPGE ._. 
He_PPHS1 grabbed_VVD the_AT gunwale_NN1 and_CC let_VV0 her_PPHO1 help_VVI him_PPHO1 aboard_RL ._. 
He_PPHS1 rolled_VVD onto_II the_AT deck_NN1 and_CC lay_VVD still_RR ,_, panting_VVG ._. 
Remi_NN2 knelt_VVD beside_II him_PPHO1 ._. 
"_" Oh_UH ,_, God_NP1 ,_, Sam_NP1 ,_, your_APPGE face_NN1 ..._... "_" 
"_" Looks_VVZ worse_JJR than_CSN it_PPH1 is_VBZ ._. 
A_AT1 few_DA2 stitches_NN2 and_CC I_PPIS1 'll_VM be_VBI back_RP to_II my_APPGE devilishly_RR handsome_JJ self_NN1 ._. "_" 
