“It is a simple one,” he said; “it consists merely of digging a mine under the boat and trying to dislodge her with dynamite.”
“Hurrah!” cried Clifford. “What could be better?”
“So say I!” said Hartley.
But Frank shook his head slowly.
“There are many risks involved,” he said. “We must consider the possibility of the Dolphin springing a leak, or of the dynamite straining her timbers.”
“But—how can she spring a leak?”
“Her timbers or plates may be already started, and dislodging her may start the leak in an instant.”
The faces of all fell.
“Is there any certainty of such being the case?” asked Hartley.
“No certainty,” replied Frank, “only a possibility, and a very strong one at that.”