He rose at length, and looked around him.
The rock on which he was standing was a narrow, barren peak, which just rose above the surface, and that was all.
The remainder of the ledge was under water. If he had not ascended in that place he must have died.
Afar off was what appeared to be a small island. But whether it was an arid desert or not he was unable to tell.
"Perhaps I shall die of hunger and thirst," he muttered; "but death is better here than in the forest under the sea."
Sleep again overcame him, and he passed several hours in a deep slumber.
With wakefulness came a horrible sensation of hunger and thirst.
While he was gazing around him, with despair again attacking him, he saw something rise in the sea a short distance off.
He thought he recognized the black back of the Searcher, and he was not mistaken.
The trapdoor opened, and two men appeared on the platform.