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“It's settled, then. We'll go.” He turned to Jere. “How do we get down there?”
    Instead of answering, Jere opened a locker on the side of the sled. She pulled out a small package and handed it to Josh. “I have one of these for each of you.” She touched her own plastic-looking uniform. “This diving suit, as you might call it, will protect you. Put them on at once.”
    â€œOver our clothes?” Abigail demanded.
    â€œNo, they are swimsuits that fit all sizes. One for men and one for women. If you girls will go to the front of the boat, the young men will turn the other way while you change. Then you'll do the same for them.”
    And that was the way it went. When Sarah opened her package she found a sea-green one-piece bathing suit, much like the one she had worn to the beach. But this suit was both flexible and hard and seemed to be made of overlapping green scales. Quickly she slipped into it, and Jere said, “Now, put on your diving suits.”
    Sarah stepped into the plastic uniform, pulled it up, and found that it closed around her neck tightly. She pulled out the belt and was surprised to find how heavy it was.
    When all had on their swimsuits and uniforms, they gathered about Jere.
    â€œThe belt is your life-support system,” she said. “It is what will let you live under the sea. It contains compressed air in three of these pockets. It has a tiny radio, so that you will be able to communicate, even under water, not only with those close to you, but even with those who're far off.”
    Then Jere taught them how to attach the tubes and wires. “Slip the hood over your head, and you'll find it will tighten with this fastening.”
    The young people awkwardly did as she told them.
    As soon as she had hers on, Sarah had a moment's fright. “I'm going to smother,” she cried out.
    â€œNo, simply turn that button on the front of your belt.”
    Sarah did so, and immediately a gust of fresh oxygen poured into her suit. It inflated the suit slightly, and she was amazed to find that now she could not feel the warm wind.
    â€œIt's insulated so you won't feel the cold of the ocean,” Jere said. “You can all breathe?” She inspected their air hoses and then stood back. “Now, you must not be afraid. I know this is a new world for you, but Goel never fails.” Then she reached down, took out the small horn, put it to her lips, and blew again.
    For what seemed a long while, there was nothing, and then suddenly the ocean boiled.
    â€œIt's porpoises! With the same kind of harnesses that Captain has,” Josh called out.
    Sarah asked, “Are we supposed to ride these?”
    â€œYes, they will take you down to the city,” Jere said. “All you have to do is get on and hang on. You can breathe, you can shut your eyes if you want to, and when you open them you'll be safe in Atlantis. Come.”
    The young people scrambled to the side of the boat. One by one Jere called the great porpoises forward and assigned a porpoise to each Sleeper.
    Sarah stepped out of the boat and settled awkwardly into the saddle. She was delighted by the sleek touch of the porpoise and how well she seemed to fit. There was a harness that he held between his teeth, and she gripped it tightly. She did call over, “Reb, you ought to be better than any of us at this, since you're a rider.”
    Reb grinned at her, his white teeth flashing in the sun. “Well, I hope so. But I never rode a critter like this without no feet.”
    Then Jere said, “Remember, you must hang on. Do not turn loose. Remember to breathe—don't try to hold your breath. In the name of Goel, we go to Atlantis!”

4
The Lost City of Atlantis
    F or Sarah, the sudden plunge under the surface of the sea was one of the most frightening experiences of her life. She had never swum in anything except a swimming pool, and now as the porpoise twisted and her arms were