Just then he heard a commotion in the water directly under the prow, and, looking over, he saw a strange-looking object, like one of the uncouth monsters of the deep, come to the surface and begin climbing up by aid of the fore-chains.
“I say, cap’n, can’t you give a fellow a lift?”
It was the mate, Abe Storms, who asked the question, and, as the captain extended his hand, he said, in a low, fervent voice:
“Thank heaven! I was about giving you up for lost!”
CHAPTER XVII
ON THE CORAL
Captain Bergen and Abe Storms, as may be supposed, greeted each other ardently when the latter stepped upon the deck of the schooner, clad in his diving-suit.
“I was growing very anxious about you,” said the captain, “for I could not understand what kept you away so long.”