But Frank did not listen; he left the cabin and was quickly out upon the deck.
He crept along until well out on the ram. In his right hand he carried a keen hatchet.
It was the work of but a few moments to cut away the section of blubber, and the boat was free.
At once it began to sink.
Frank crept back into the cabin safely, and into the overjoyed arms of his companions, who were indeed glad of his success.
“That was a plucky thing to do, Frank,” cried Stanhope.
But the young inventor only smiled.
“There are more difficult things,” he declared; “there was no other way.”
But the Dolphin had now reached the bottom again. She was unscathed by her thrilling experience.
Frank now started her ahead upon her northward trip.