Chapter Two.
Josh does not approve of his Pupil’s Dive.
As Will made his daring plunge Josh Heist on rushed to the side, and stood with starting eyes gazing at the disturbed water. Then turning fiercely upon the skipper, he caught him by the shoulder, gave him a twist, and dragged him within reach of his deformed arm, the hand of which fastened upon his waist-belt, and held him perfectly helpless, although he seemed to be a much stronger man.
“This was your doing!” cried Josh angrily, but with quite a wail in his intoned words. “You drove him to do that gashly thing!”
“Don’t be a fool, Josh! Here, let go! Do you hear, let go!”
“If he don’t come I’ll send you after him!” cried Josh, with his face flushed with anger.
“Do you want the lad to drown for want of help?” cried the skipper; and his words acted like magic. Josh loosed his hold, and once more ran to the side.
Meanwhile the pumping had been kept up, and a constant stream of air-bubbles could be seen ascending; but the men who had hauled upon the life-line had kept it taut, and were still hauling as those who were gazing down into the clear water, vainly trying to make out the movements of the two divers, suddenly uttered a shout.
“Here he comes!” cried the skipper; and Josh, who had been holding his breath in the agony of suspense, gave a loud expiration as the lad suddenly appeared above the surface, panting for breath, and swam to the ladder, shaking the water from his eyes and hair.
“Slack the line!” he cried; “it’s round a rock. Give me one of those leads.”