SAVING THE MERCHANTMAN.
"Held—with a whale in us for a mast!" roared old George Dross. "Hang me, ef this isn't the wust yet!"
"We must get rid of that whale!" cried Captain Oscar. "If we don't he may turn the Holland over, with that trap-door open!"
"All hands get something and shove him back!" put in Andy Greggs.
"We can't do it," answered Oscar. "Hold, I have it!"
With all speed he ran to the ammunition room and soon returned with a small shell, of the kind usually used for signaling purposes.
This he rammed into the mouth of the whale, while the huge creature strained and puffed and turned, rocking the new Holland violently.
"Run away!" he cried, and set fire to the fuse of the shell.
All got out of sight as speedily as possible, and then waited.
Fifteen seconds passed and then the shell went off, with a muffled roar.