“Yes; what are they bumping about on the deck?”
“Dunno, sir. Sounds like getting the big boats off from over the galley. But they won’t hear us, sir; let’s get back to where we can have a pull at the fresh air. Will you go first?”
“No; you know the way best.”
Barney chuckled.
“There arn’t much queshtion of knowing the way, sir. There arn’t no first turnings to the left, and second to the right. It’s all go ahead, and you’re sure to come out right if you don’t get stuck, and I s’pose I mustn’t get jammed anywhere ’cause of you.”
He went on, and as I followed I could not help thinking about how terrible it would be if he did get fast, and more than once a curious sensation ran through me as he struggled on. But we had no mishap, and at last crept out to where Bob Hampton and Dumlow were waiting for us.
“You have been a long time, sir,” growled the former. “Did you make anything out of it?”
“Yes, Bob, I reached the forecastle.”
“You did, lad! Well done you! I allus thought you’d do something some day.”
Then I told them both of all that had passed, as I lay there in that hot, dark, stifling hole, thinking though all the while how delightfully fresh and light it was. When I had finished, Bob rubbed his ear, and growled softly—