"There ought to be a rope right at the foot of the staff, here. Yes, here it is. Hold fast to me, so I don't go overboard, while I untie the knot."
"What are you going to do?"
"I'll show you in a minute."
Dan made the rope fast to a cleat on the after stanchion, then took a twist about his own arm with the free end.
"Now, I want you to stand right here until I give three tugs on the rope."
"What are you going to do?"
"I don't know what I am going to do, but I'm going to try to get to the twelve-inch turret with this rope."
"You'll have to swim for it, then."
"I expect to have to swim part of the way, but leave that to me. When I give three long tugs on the rope you start working along it."
"But where will we go? The water-tight doors are fastened on the inside; we can't get in. We shall be swept from the deck. I guess I'll stay where I am, and hang on until morning."