"Oh, for one breath of fresh air!" cried Mr. Damon, who seemed to suffer more than any of the others. Grim death was hovering around them, imprisoned as they were on the ocean's bed, over a mile from the surface.
Chapter Thirteen
Off for the Treasure
Suddenly Tom, after a moment's pause, seized a wrench and began loosening some nuts.
"What are you doing?" asked his father faintly, for he was being weakened by the vitiated atmosphere.
"I'm going to take this valve apart," replied his son. "We haven't looked there for the trouble. Maybe it's out of order."
He attacked the valve with energy, but his hands soon lagged. The lack of oxygen was telling on him. He could no longer work quickly.
"I'll help," murmured Mr. Sharp thickly. He took a wrench, but no sooner had he loosened one nut than he toppled over. "I'm all in," he murmured feebly.
"Is he dead?" cried Mr. Damon, himself gasping.