"There are five men on that overturned boat," was the determined answer, "and we're going to save them."
"It's as much as your life is worth, Matt," returned Speake earnestly, "to bring the Grampus to the surface and venture out on deck."
Matt had thrown off his coat and hat and was now taking off his shoes.
"It's our duty to do what we can," said he. "We can't leave those five men to be washed into the sea and drowned."
"No more we can't," seconded Dick, likewise beginning to peel off his extra clothing. "Watch your old periscope yourself, Speake. I wouldn't give tuppence for those fellows' chances if we don't snatch 'em off."
At that moment Carl and Glennie came rolling into the periscope room. It took Matt only half a minute to tell them of the work that lay ahead.
"Hoop-a-la!" shouted Carl, beginning to strip, "dot means me!"
"And me, too," averred Glennie, likewise preparing himself.
"Dick and I will tie ropes around us and go on the deck," said Matt. "Glennie will stand in the tower and do the steering. Dick and I will each carry the spare ends of a couple of ropes with us, and the coils will be left down here in the periscope room. As soon as one of the men makes fast to a rope, Carl and Speake will tail onto it and haul him aboard."
Matt turned to the tank-room tube.