“Begorra, I thought shure it was the ind av Misther Frank!” cried Barney. “Shure, it wud have been a sorry day for the loikes av us!”
“Golly, if I had jes’ been out dere I would hab been happy!” declared Pomp. “I was jes’ itching fo’ to git a crack at dat ar big rapscallion of a snake.”
“Well, as for me,” said Von Bulow, with a laugh, “I quite distinguished myself by running away. But I was never cut out for a fighting man anyway.”
“And I stayed at home,” rejoined Bell. “Frank, you and Barney are the heroes.”
All were intensely hungry, and Pomp served up a steaming repast.
There was lovely steak from the swordfish, crabs on toast, fresh and nice, and many other saline delicacies, which were easily procured in the sea.
The explorers regaled themselves sumptuously, and then all turned in for a sleep.
Frank had decided to spend some hours longer in the cavern.
When they awoke six hours later, Frank went into the pilot-house and started the Dart for the mouth of the immense ocean cavern.
In due time this was reached, and soon they were not so very far from the spot where Captain Bell’s treasure ship had sunk.