The swordfish would yet persist in hovering above the deck.
They were apparently hoping that their would-be victims would come out. But they did not.
Hours passed slowly by.
Captain Bell sank down upon the rotting stairs and went to sleep. But Frank and the professor kept unwearying vigil.
They were waiting for the welcome glare of the Dart’s searchlight.
Should that appear they would know that they were saved.
But it did not come.
The Dart was far from the spot at the moment. The likelihood was not strong for an immediate return.
But the state of siege was suddenly raised in an unexpected manner.
There is a small fish which is a habitue of the ocean depths called the torpedo.