"All set to go off at half-past one—in just a quarter of an hour," was Jay's rejoinder.
Jay turned from the telephone with the statement to his chum that the air pump of the Jules Verne was working none too well and that the chief engineer, with Cap Austin, was trying to find out what was the matter.
"Well, all I've got to say is they better get it working before very long or you and I are in danger of being blown up when that bomb goes off in the coal barge directly underneath us," suggested Dick. He was not exactly an alarmist; but the situation had possibilities that did not appear at all inviting.
"You forget there is another way for us to be raised," was Jay's come-back.
Dick had forgotten for the moment.
"You forget that when the air pump fails the Nautilus is raised by steel cables. Deckmen wind us up with those huge winches that stand well forward on the Jules Verne near the hatchway leading to the access tube."
"Sure enough!" exclaimed Dick. This secondary method had quite escaped his memory for the present. Reassured, the boys put fear out of their minds and awaited developments.
Five minutes sped by, and still nothing happened. Going to the telephone Jay asked again how they were getting along above.
"Gee, pal, I'm sorry, but they don't seem to be making much headway as yet," came Larry's reply.
As Jay listened he could tell that Captain Austin was talking to Larry. He could hear him mention the word "bomb."