“It isn’t a handsome job,” said Henry Burns, finally; “but the water will not run in there as fast as we can pump it out. It’s a fair start.”
The yacht Spray came in now and brought up alongside the Viking.
“What are you going to do?” inquired George Warren.
“Why, everybody has got to go in for a swim,” answered Henry Burns, setting the example by throwing off his remaining garments. The others, willing enough at all times for that, followed.
Henry Burns next brought forth several coils of rope, which he had busied himself with, on the voyage down, knotting it at regular intervals into loops.
“There,” said he, “the Surprise lies, luckily, on these irregular rocks. We have got to duck under and pass these ropes underneath the keel, wherever there is a chance. Then we’ll bring the ends up on either side and make them fast aboard, wherever there is a thing to hitch to. Then we’ll attach the kegs to the loops. See?”
“Good for you, Henry!” cried Harvey, enthusiastically. “You always have some scheme in your head, don’t you?”
“Wait and see if it works,” said Henry Burns, modestly.
“Ouch!” cried young Joe, as the boys splashed overboard. “This water is like ice.”
“Oh, shut up, Joe!” said Arthur Warren. “Just think of that hot coffee we are going to have for supper.”