“Sure? Yes. There, I’m glad we got you out without breaking.”
“So’m I, mate, werry glad indeed. I’m two sizes too big for a hole like that, and I don’t think it’s any use for me to try again.”
As he spoke there came the three signal knocks, and as Bob answered them he growled out—
“Oh yes, we know you’re there. Look here, Mr Dale, sir. I’m two sizes smaller than Neb; I’m going to have a try.”
“No, you’d better not, Bob,” I whispered. “Let’s wait and try to break through the hatch.”
“Nay, sir, we ought to get along with them if we could. I’ll just try, I’m quite two sizes smaller than Neb, and I won’t be such an old silly as to go and ram myself in fast. Say I may go, sir.”
“Yes, sir, let him go,” said Dumlow. “It’ll take some o’ the conceit out on him when he gets stuck fast.”
“Well then, go, Bob, but pray be careful.”
“Ay, ay, sir, I’ll be careful, for I’ve got a great respeck for Bob Hampton, mariner. But you’ll lend a hand, Neb, if I want hauling out?”
“I just wall,” growled the big fellow. “You shall have it, messmate.”