l himself would hardly be safe in
the same ship with Andrews. It was quite possible that the ruffian would
turn to and do good work for his share of the salvage when he got clear
of the rest of us, for the amount would be large and tempting. Sackett
would be of more service to him alive than dead.

"We'll get at the leak this afternoon, if it's possible," I said, and the
young girl went back to her stateroom.

XIV

It was with anything but rising spirits that Chips went at the leak. He
had a frame slung outboard some fifteen feet from the ship's side,
supported by guys from the mainmast and jury foremast. It was after eight
bells in the afternoon before this was finished, and then Sackett and he
went out on it to study the ship's bilge through the calm water. It was
almost flat calm, but the _Sovereign_ had steering way enough to turn her
side to the slanting sun, letting the light shine under her copper. She
was so deep, however, nothing could be made out on the smooth green
surface that showed like a started plank end. Only here and there a lump
or protuberance appeared, showing a bunch of marine growth, or a bent
edge of a plate where it had started to rip off. The water of the Indian
Ocean is always remarkably clear, and this day during the still weather
it was like liquid air. Objects were as distinctly visible three or four
fathoms below the surface as those at a corresponding distance on deck.

I joined Sackett and Chips on the frame, and studied the ship's bilge the
entire length of her waist. In about half an hour we shifted to starboard
and, by dint of handling the canvas, got her head around so that the sun
shone under this side. Nothing showed like a leak.

"If a man could dive under her a few times," said Sackett, "he might see,
with the light as good as it is now. What do you think, Mr. Rolling?"

"It would take a good swimmer to go clear under her broad beam," I
answered. "I don't believe there's any one aboard who could do it, even
with a line around him."

England, the stout sailor, was standing near the rail while I spoke.

"If ye don't mind, sir, I'll try me hand at it. Put a line about me body
to haul me in if a shark takes a notion to make a run fer me. Don't haul
unless ye have to, mind, or ye'll scrape the hide off me body."

"Go ahead at it," said Sackett.

The heavy man slipped off his jumper in a moment, and I noticed the huge
muscles of his chest and arms. He must have made a