Frank Reade, Jr., and Pomp were in the advance.
Indeed, they would have reached the surface much quicker but for the necessity of constantly turning to look out for the two older men.
They came along more slowly.
In fact, Bell was hardly able to climb the reefs.
But after awhile the motion of the water became such that they were able plainly to realize that the surface was but a few feet above.
Frank was the first to emerge from the water. His head came above the surface suddenly. He looked about.
The scene which met his gaze was far different from what he had expected.
There was no long line of coast, no inviting shore with tropical foliage and high cliffs of stone.
Naught but the dreary, boundless, tossing waste of waters was to be seen as far as the eye could reach.
The reef cropped up just high enough so that the lightest waves combed over it. Frank crawled upon it and stood in several inches of water.