Above his waist he was naked, and to one wrist was fastened a manacle. He was evidently nigh starved and half dead from exposure.
“Whist there!” shouted Barney. “Who the mischief are yez?”
The man replied, but it was in the Russian tongue which the Celt did not understand.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE ESCAPED EXILE.
But the Celt saw from the fellow’s action what he wanted, and that this was a rope to assist him to get ashore.
Now Barney had not one at hand, but he shouted:
“Howld an an’ I’ll get a rope. Shure, I’ll help ye!”
And away went the whole-souled Irishman back to the airship.
The raft was drifting very slowly so he had plenty of time.
But when he reached the Dart his first move was to sound the alarm. Very quickly all hands were on deck.