Suddenly Dave let out a cry:
"The rival divers!"
He was right. At a great distance he had seen the other diving bell coming down.
It contained Vixen and Walton. Bart Hankers had said he was coming down with them, but had backed out at the last moment, much to the divers' satisfaction, for they had counted that he would only be in their way.
As swiftly as the other diving bell had come into view, it now faded from sight beyond another portion of the great submarine forest.
"They are close upon our heels," muttered Dave, and again Amos Fearless shook his head, doubtfully.
At last the diving bell gained the edge of the forest and came to a rest upon one of the banks of moss of many colors.
A short distance away the bank sloped downward into a sort of valley.
Here it was darker, and what there was at the bottom of the valley there was no telling without an investigation.
Should they leave the diving bell upon an exploring tour?