He could do no worse than fail. Once his mind was made up there was no faltering.
He began work on his bonds. He writhed and twisted for some while. The water had swollen the ropes, but it had also weakened the strands.
He rolled over and over until he reached the door of the captain’s cabin. Here his gaze fell upon an object which gave him a thrill.
It was an ax.
It had been dropped there by one of the divers. At once Frank saw his opportunity.
He rolled over to it in such a manner as to press his bonds against its keen edge.
Again and again he pressed the cords against the keen blade; one by one the strands snapped.
Finally the last one was cut; Frank experienced a thrill.
The rest was easy.
He had the use of his hands now, and with the blade of the ax he cut the other bonds.