“No danger! If I get into a place, Abe, I can get out again. I’m going to dive and get you a saw.”
“Don’t do it!” urged the other. “I can make out some how.”
“Here goes!” cried Joe, and with that he walked down the half-submerged companion steps and dived into the water-filled forecastle quarters.
[CHAPTER XVI]
WIND AND WAVE TOSSED
Abe stood looking anxiously down into the dark opening where his mate had disappeared. Tom, understanding that something unusual was taking place, also hurried up to look on, and Mr. Skeel and Jackie followed.
“Is—is it safe?” asked our hero, for it was as if some one had gone down a well.
“Well—er—hardly—that is to say, of course it is!” exclaimed Abe, quickly changing his mind, as he saw the little boy regarding him curiously. “Joe’ll come up in a minute with just the very thing we need—maybe.”
Tom caught the alarmed note in the sailor’s voice.