"No, I fancy the steel and iron sides will prevent them from making a meal of us."
"Then where is the danger?"
"They will not let go until they discover that they cannot devour us, and it may take days. We can only remain under water a comparatively short time at the most. So you see where the danger is."
"But can't we go out and kill them? Then they would let go."
"It would be most risky to venture out, protected even with a diving suit, and carrying the electric guns," the professor went on. "No, I must think of some other plan to free ourselves from the creatures."
"Blow 'em up wif dynamite an' send 'em inter disproportionately contrastedable circumferences!" exclaimed Washington, who had been listening to the conversation.
"This isn't any time to joke," Mr. Henderson said sternly.
"I wasn't joking," replied the colored man. "Can't we squirt acid on 'em or chop 'em up, or—or—"
"We can do nothing for the time being," said the professor. "Come, we will have a consultation on the subject. Perhaps some one may be able to think of a plan of rescue."
"Let us hope so."