“Here,” came back in a smothered voice.
“I knowed he would,” growled Dumlow. “He’s got fast, and now what’s to be done?”
It was very horrible, shut down there in that close, hot place, listening to the struggles of a fellow-creature who was in such a position that wanting help he was beyond the reach of those who were eager to render it. The perspiration once more streamed down my face, and my hands trembled as I called upon myself to act in a manly way. Neither of my companions could go to Barney’s help. They were, as had been proved, too bulky, and yet help must be given, and quickly too. Everything pointed to the fact that the task must fall upon me to creep forward to render aid; but when I got there in that confined place, what would my strength be toward getting the poor fellow back? All I could do would be to creep along to him and say a few words of encouragement to incite him to make a fresh effort or two to struggle free, and if that failed, stay beside him and talk of hope while the men gave the alarm, and help was brought to take off the hatches right along, and drag out cargo until the man was reached and set free.
“Ahoy, messmate!” cried Bob now. “Are you stuck fast?”
“Ay, ay.”
The words sounded so stifled and strange that I knew the moment had come for me to make an effort to save him, and mastering the horrible sensation of shrinking cowardice that came over me, I drew a long, deep breath, and seized Bob Hampton to draw him aside.
“What’s wrong, my lad? What is it?” he said, almost surlily. “It arn’t my fault; I’d go in to pull him back, but I shouldn’t get in fur ’fore I was stuck.”
“No, no,” I said excitedly. “Of course not.”
“Then Neb had have to come, and he wouldn’t get far arter me for he was stuck too. Then what would you do ’bout pulling us out all three?”
“Nothing,” I said, desperately. “You must not either of you go. The time has come for me to try and save him myself.”