"You don't think what?" asked Jack, thinking that he detected something in the tone of the boy's voice that indicated danger of some sort.
"Nothing, wait till I get the rope fast."
"Very good. Take your time."
"All right," the boy called in a few moments. "I have got it. Haul away!"
They saw the light of the electric torch flashing upon them, as the boy came nearer and nearer to them, and at last drew him out of the hole, Jack noticing that he seemed quite pale, and then suddenly noticing that he was wet up to his knees.
"Hello! what is this, Jesse W., how do you happen to be so wet?" he asked. "There was no water in——"
"Yes, some," answered the boy quietly. "It had worked in under the door or at the side somewhere. Maybe they had settled. Anyhow, I got the bag and here it——" and then the boy sank limp and helpless into Jack's arms and fainted away.
"By George! he was a plucky little fellow and no mistake!" exclaimed Jack. "He said that he would get the bag and he did, and standing in water up to his knees, and not knowing at what time he might have the whole Caribbean sea tumbling in upon him. Get some water, Dick!"
The boy presently came around, however, and said faintly, but with a half laugh:
"I told you I'd bring it, didn't I, Jack? Well, I did, and I hope it will be enough to keep you at the Academy for the rest of the course. If it isn't, my father——"