"Till we touch bottom. There's where we're to pass the night."
The bottom was reached at forty feet. Clackett announced the depth as the Grampus came to a rest.
"We're forty feet from all the military and naval forces of Punta Arenas," said Glennie.
"But it's forty feet of water," added Dick, "and, even if those ashore knew where we were, it would puzzle them some to get at us."
"We're safe enough," said Matt. "In the early morning we'll rise until we show just the periscope ball and will start for the Pacific. Now that there's nothing particular for all hands to do, let's be comfortable and find out how it all happened."
"You're the cause of it, matey," declared Dick.
"I know that, of course. If I hadn't been held a prisoner by Captain Sandoval, there wouldn't have been any need of you and Glennie taking all those chances to rescue me. What I mean is, what suggested such an audacious proceeding?"
"You did," persisted Dick.
"Explain how?"
"Why, when you landed from the war ship, you stood up there on the wharf and defied this Captain Sandoval. It was Motor Matt's defiance that suggested to me a plan that was a little more comprehensive. You had defied Sandoval, so why couldn't the three of us defy all the Chilians in the town? Well, we did, didn't we? And we got clear with whole skins, every one of us."