Outward and upward—one hundred—two hundred—three hundred feet. Who could say how far? What mysterious power motivated this wild ride, and where would it end? Would the cable snap?
Johnny made no effort to conceal the horror reflected in his face by this thought. Sealed in a steel ball, resting on the bottom of the sea, half a mile or more below surface. What chance? The boy’s lips moved, but no sound came. Then, by sheer will power, he adopted a calmer mood and waited the turn of events.
Samatan neither moved nor spoke. Strange Samatan! Did he think this was part of the show? And what had he been waiting so patiently to see?
There was even greater consternation on board the Sea Nymph.
Dave had gone ashore for a bit of dry-land exploring but, with Doris at his side, the professor stood watching the pumps that sent air to the occupants of the steel ball. His gaze, reflecting serious concern, was focused intently on the gauge registering strain on the steel ball’s cables.
“Doris!” he exclaimed excitedly. “Look, Doris! Look! The strain has doubled! The cable is perilously near the breaking point!”
“Poor Johnny!” Doris cried, distractedly. “Down there with old Samatan! If the cable breaks—”
“If the cable breaks—no power on earth can save them!” The professor’s voice dropped. “The bottom must be a full mile down and I doubt whether the ball could withstand the terrific pressure. Nor is there any way we could bring it to the surface!”
“What can be done?” Doris was wringing her hands.
“Pray!” was the professor’s simple reply. “Strange things are accomplished by prayer, and faith.”