Dave Darrin, watching, had run the boat up close alongside as soon as the struggling pair appeared above the waves.
"You'll have to take him in, Davy," announced Midshipman Dalzell. "Canty isn't strong enough to tow behind. And I'm coming aboard for a fresh look before I dive for Miss Wright."
"You're going to stay aboard and manage the boat," retorted Darrin quietly. "I'm going in next."
"Oh, all right, if you want to," half grumbled Dan. "But I'm just beginning to get used to it and to like it."
Dan, however, followed orders and took his seat by tiller and sheet as soon as they had towed Canty safely in the boat. Tom Foss, lied and holding on at the stern, was beginning to chatter hard, but said he was all right.
A brief instant of consultation the two midshipmen held. Then Dave
Darrin, holding his hands before him, dived hard and deep into the water.
After nearly a minute he came up again, but only to take an observation.
Then he sank, to explore more of the space under water.
For five minutes Darrin continued this, making four dives in all, and sinking twice without diving.
"I can't give this up, and abandon a girl," he muttered. "Dan, I've got to take more account of the current, and work gradually downstream."
A little later Dave rose with a whoop the instant that his head showed above the water.