Following the current with the speed of an arrow, the ship made its way, though the engines were reversed and the screw went backward to abate the velocity of its progress.
A single false turn of the wheel, and the Searcher would have been dashed to atoms against the ironlike rocks on each side, above, and below.
Mont held his breath.
He could see nothing but the foaming waters, made transparent by the electric light.
Half an hour later the captain gave up the helm to the negro, and, turning to our hero, exclaimed:
"We are in the Mediterranean."
In less than half an hour the ship, carried by the current, had traversed the Isthmus of Suez.
The next morning they came to the surface, and were able to breathe the fresh air again.
Stump was in high spirits when he found that they were near civilization again, because he thought they had a chance of escaping, and this idea was always uppermost in his mind.
He spoke to his companions about it, and they all agreed to follow him if a good opportunity offered.