Amos Fearless could not say a word, but he motioned to the water and smiled. Then he spoke to Dave in the sign language of the divers.
"This is the spot," he signed. "How soon does Captain Broadbeam calculate to let us go down?"
"I think to-morrow," replied Dave.
A long talk followed, by word of mouth on Dave's part and by signs on the part of the parent.
It was a sad sight to see Amos Fearless try to talk with his mouth and fail. His tongue would cling to his teeth and refuse to budge. At last he turned away with tears in his eyes and Dave was equally affected.
The remainder of the day was spent in getting the diving bell into shape for use.
This was inspected with great care, for it was understood by all that the two divers, father and son, would be taking their lives in their hands in going down such an immense distance as contemplated.
"It's queer we don't see anything of the Raven," said Dave to Captain Broadbeam.
"Perhaps Lemuel Hankers knows enough to keep out of our reach," was the answer. "He may know that we—or rather, you—are on board and have exposed Pete Rackley, and he may wish to keep his own head out of danger."
"That must be it."