relaxed Spenser . Combined with a heavy meal , fatigue , and a strong smoke , he lapsed
into a dreamlike state , not asleep , but not far from it .
A wave occasionally hit the crevice . Spray flew everywhere , but nothing like the
wild display Nikon promised . Spenser smoked the cheroot to the nub and threw it to the
wind .
A sudden wild gust , a rumble like a herd of stampeding horses . A monstrous
wave rolled from out of nowhere straight toward the crevice , crest white with creamy
foam . The wave surged into the gap with a resounding slap .
An enormous column of water shot forth , twenty feet high above Spenser , a
dynamic jolt of pure hydraulic energy .
" Well , I ' ll be dashed ."
Before his unbelieving eyes , the column took on shapely curves , aqueous hips and
bosoms that quavered and undulated . The column crested . Myriad , crystalline droplets
shot off everywhere , like cascading tresses just as Nikon described , a young woman at
her beauty ' s full peak shamelessly fanning her crowning glory .
Spenser was spattered from head to toe with droplets , left soaked . He jumped to
his feet and futilely swatted at his clothes . Spenser gave an exasperated sigh and decided
to return to Paleothea .