The moment the boat began to work heavily Joe’s helmet was put on, and when she came to a stand he went over the stern by means of a rope-ladder prepared for the purpose.
“Be as active as you can, Joe. Got everything you want?” said Edgar, taking up the bull’s-eye.
“All right, sir,” said Joe.
“Pump away,” cried Edgar, looking over his shoulder.
Next moment Joe was under water, and the Malays, with glaring eyes and open mouths, were gazing at the confusion of air-bubbles that arose from him continually. From their looks it seemed as though some of them fancied the whole affair to be a new species of torture invented by their captain.
Joe carried a small hatchet in his girdle and a long sharp knife in his hand. With these he attacked the reeds and weeds, and in ten minutes or less had set the screw free. He soon reappeared on the rope-ladder, and Edgar, who had been attending to his lines, removed the bull’s-eye.
“What now, Joe?” he asked.
“All clear,” said Joe, coming inboard.
“What! Done it already?”
“Ay; steam ahead when you like, sir.”