They say it is, but I never
tasted it."

"More didn't we, sir," said Bob.

"You speak for yourself, old man," said Barney.

"Well, you ain't tasted it, and you know it," growled Bob, "so tell the
truth."

"Well, I can't say as ever I did taste champagne," said Barney, "but
I've had a bottle--ay, bottles and bottles--o' what comes next to it,
and fizzles up wonderful."

"Why, what does?"

"Joeydone, or Sueydone, or something like that they calls it. It arn't
so very bad. Might go now, sir, mightn't I?"

"Well, yes, if you mean to try."

"Oh yes, I mean to try, sir," he said. "Dessay I can manage it. Shall
I start?"

"Yes," I replied, and without a moment's pause he rose, thrust his head
and shoulders into the hole, and as he drew himself in, he began to
whistle.

"He'd better save his wind," grumbled Dumlow. "He'll want it soon."

"Ay, that's the worst o' young chaps, they're so wasteful," muttered Bob
Hampton. "But they thinks they knows best. How are you getting on,
messmate?"

"Tidy--tidy!" came back. "It arn't so very tight."

The rustling went on, and I heard Dumlow whisper--

"When he holloas, let's fetch him out with a will."

"Ay, ay, but he don't holloa," said Bob. "Why, he've got farder than we
did."

"Nay, not he. Why, he have though!"

For the whistling went on, just a softened hissing, and it was evident
that Barney had got some distance in. What was more was that he was
still progressing.

"He's going to do it, Bob!" I cried excitedly.

"Getting a bit farder, sir, that's all," replied Bob. "But what I wants
to know is, how are we going to get hold on his legs when he gets stuck?
There won't be no reaching on 'em, as I can see."

"Hadn't yer better hail him to hold hard, and come back for us to hitch
a line round one of his fins?"

"Which line would you use, messmate?" said Bob dryly. "The old 'un or
the noo 'un?"

"Eh? Which on 'em?"

"Ay. Why, there arn't no line down here, is there? What yer talking
about?"

"No," muttered Dumlow, thoughtfully; "there arn't no line down here, o'
course. I never thought o' that. But s'pose he gets stuck fast, as he
will farder on, what's to be done?"

"I d'know, without old Jarette comes and has the cargo out. Why,
where's he got to!"

I was listening intently, but the whistling and rustling had ceased, and
half in alarm, half hopeful that he would find a way through to where
our companions were imprisoned, I stra