"That leaves us with a tolerably free hand," he added. "I was afraid they'd muster all hands and call the roll. No sign of Minalto yet, I suppose?"
"None," replied Withers, who had been holding on to the rope. "He's a bit behind time. I hope nothing's gone wrong."
"So do I," agreed Alwyn fervently.
Slowly the minutes passed. Momentarily doubts grew in the minds of the three watchers. Even Alwyn's faith in Minalto's powers was waning.
"I'll take on now," he remarked, relieving the Second Engineer at the rope.
He had barely resumed his "trick" when the manila rope was almost jerked out of his hand. From the unseen depths below came three decided tugs.
"He's back, lads," whispered Burgoyne joyously. "All together. Man the rope—walk back."
It was no easy task to hoist the ponderous seaman, but at length Jasper Minalto's head and shoulders appeared above the edge of the cliff. With no apparent effort he swung himself up by the projecting beam and gained the summit. Slipping out of the bowline, he shook himself like a Newfoundland dog, for water was dripping from his saturated clothes.
"I've been there sartain sure," he announced coolly, "an' back agen, sir. If you'm your doubts, sir, there's my 'nitials scratched on ter boat's back-board, fair an' legible-like s'long as you looks carefully."
Burgoyne brought his hand down upon the seaman's shoulder.