He soon found out why the Holland could not move from her position.
In coming down the keel of the French cruiser had split into two parts, and these now held the top of the Holland fast, as a pair of ice tongs holds fast a cake of ice.
Had the ends of the cruiser been allowed to settle a foot more, the two grips of the keel must have crushed in the sides of the Holland like the shell of an egg.
Oscar examined the ends of the keel with interest and soon felt certain that the Holland could be moved only after great labor to liberate her.
"And that will take time," he muttered sadly. "And time is what we cannot afford."
Slowly and painfully he made his way back to the hole through which he had emerged into the ocean.
The bow of the submarine craft was just gained, when suddenly a concussion occurred which hurled him flat on his back and for some time to come deprived him of all sense of hearing.
One of the powder magazines which had not been touched by water on the Republique had blown up, creating something like an earthquake under the sea.
Sand and wreckage flew in all directions, and when Captain Oscar recovered he found his body covered with a mass of stuff difficult to remove.
As soon as able he stared about him, and to his utter amazement saw that the Holland had disappeared!