glass-windowed helmets
to be put on. Once these were fastened in place talk would have to be
carried on with the outside world by means of small telephones or by
signals.

"Give me axe!" exclaimed Koku, as some of the sailors were about to put
his helmet in place.

"What do you want of an axe?" Tom asked.

"Maybe so one them cow fish come along," explained the giant. "Koku
whack him with axe."

"He means horse mackerel," laughed Ned. "Give him the axe, Tom. I
don't like the looks of those fish, either. I'll take a weapon myself."

Two keen axes were handed to the divers, their helmets were screwed on,
and they immediately began breathing the compressed air carried in a
tank on their shoulders.

Slowly and laboriously they walked to the diving chamber. Their
progress would be easier in the water, which would buoy them up in a
measure. Now they were heavily weighted.

To leave the submarine the divers had to enter a steel chamber in the
side of the craft. This craft contained double doors. Once the divers
were inside the door leading to the interior of the submarine was
hermetically closed. Water from outside was then admitted until the
pressure was equalized. Then the outer door was opened and Ned and Koku
could step forth.

They entered the chamber, the door was closed tightly and then Tom
Swift turned the valve that admitted the sea water. With a hiss the
Atlantic began rushing in, and in a short time the outer door would be
opened.

"If you'll come around to the observation windows you can see them,"
said Tom, when a look at the indicators told him Ned and Koku had
stepped forth.

To the front cabin he and the others betook themselves, and when the
interior lights were turned out and the exterior ones turned on they
waited for a sight of the two divers.

"Bless my pickle bottle!" cried Mr. Damon, "there they are, Tom."

As he spoke there came into view, moving slowly, Ned and Koku. Their
portable lights were glowing, and then, in order to see them better,
Tom turned out the exterior searchlights. This made the two forms, in
their rather grotesque dress, stand out in bold relief amid the
swirling green waters of the Atlantic.

Ned and the giant moved slowly, for it was impossible to progress with
any speed under that terrific pressure. They looked toward the
submarine and waved their hands in greeting. They had no special object
on the ocean floor, except to try the new diving dress, and it seemed