“Now, sir, just one word of warning,” said the second Norseman. “That ladder’s to step on from the shrouds, not to go down on deck.”
“Of course not,” replied Steve; “I know that.”
“Yes, sir, and so do all of those who come up; but same time, a poor fellow don’t think, and when he lowers himself out of the tub, he goes on stepping down without going off on to the shrouds, and I’ve known men fall and be killed.”
“I say, don’t talk about falling,” said Steve, with a shiver; “it makes one feel creepy.”
“Only good advice, sir,” said Johannes. “Now, then, up you go.”
The lad mounted three of the steps, and his head touched the bottom of the tub.
“It isn’t opened!” he cried.
“Never mind, sir; go on, push up.”
Steve obeyed, thrust hard with his head, and the bottom gave way, turning upon its hinges till it was vertical, and he passed up inside the tub, stepped on to the narrow ledge at the side, and the bottom dropped down into its place, forming a firm flooring, with a ring at the edge ready for lifting it up.
The next moment Steve was standing upright, peering round in all directions, finding that he was in a wonderfully commanding position for sweeping the sea, and now, with his eyes already a little educated, making out the ice to the north plainly enough.