Slipping like lightning down the ladder, he shouted to Gaines to stop the madly-working engine and reverse it at a more leisurely speed.
Like a huge air bubble, the Grampus swung up and up, and when she emerged above the surface, and Matt could see sunlight through the dripping lunettes, he turned off the electric projector, opened the hatch and threw it back, and gulped down deep breaths of the warm, fresh air.
Once more slipping down the ladder, he saluted the captain.
"I turn the ship over to you, sir," said he, and collapsed on a stool, mopping the perspiration from his face.
"You're a brick!" grunted Cassidy, picking up the course for Belize.
"Hooray for Motor Matt, king of the motor boys!" came a thrilling shout from somewhere in the bowels of the craft.
For an instant, the steel walls echoed with the jubilant yells of Carl, Dick, Gaines, Speake, and Clackett.
"It came near to taking the ginger all out of me, captain," breathed Matt. "The novelty of the thing was mighty trying."
Captain Nemo, Jr., still strangely pale, was regarding the youth fixedly. For some moments after the cheering ceased he said nothing; then, leaning abruptly forward, he caught Matt's hand.
The captain's flesh was as cold as ice.