“Same here,” murmured Abe. “It’s middling queer, though. But if our grub holds out we’ll soon be afloat in a better craft.”
“It doesn’t look like it,” declared Joe. “You’ve get a lot of work on it yet.”
“I know I have, and if only there was a saw I’d make double speed.”
Joe did not answer but walked forward to where the hatchway, opening down into the lower regions of the ship, showed. It was more out of water than at any previous time, and it could be seen that there was a passage leading into the crew’s quarters. Joe stood contemplating this, and then slowly began taking off his shoes, and some of his garments.
“Hi! matie, what are you up to?” hailed Abe, seeing his actions. “Going for a swim? If you are you’d better look out for sharks. I see some big fins in the offing this morning.”
“No, I’m not going to swim—I’m going to have a dive.”
“A dive?”
“Yes. I’m going down and see if I can’t fetch up a saw, or something so you can finish that boat quicker.”
Abe dropped the axe and hurried toward his companion.
“Say, don’t you do it,” he gasped. “You might not be able to get up again, and we can’t afford to lose you.”