ined my ears longingly for some
suggestion of how far Barney could be. All at once the sound
recommenced, stopped, began again, and then much nearer than I had
expected there came a struggling and panting, which made my blood run
cold.

"He's hitched," muttered Bob Hampton, and then in quite a low voice he
cried into the opening--

"Where are you, mate?"

"Here," came back in a smothered voice.

"I knowed he would," growled Dumlow. "He's got fast, and now what's to
be done?"

It was very horrible, shut down there in that close, hot place,
listening to the struggles of a fellow-creature who was in such a
position that wanting help he was beyond the reach of those who were
eager to render it. The perspiration once more streamed down my face,
and my hands trembled as I called upon myself to act in a manly way.
Neither of my companions could go to Barney's help. They were, as had
been proved, too bulky, and yet help must be given, and quickly too.
Everything pointed to the fact that the task must fall upon me to creep
forward to render aid; but when I got there in that confined place, what
would my strength be toward getting the poor fellow back? All I could
do would be to creep along to him and say a few words of encouragement
to incite him to make a fresh effort or two to struggle free, and if
that failed, stay beside him and talk of hope while the men gave the
alarm, and help was brought to take off the hatches right along, and
drag out cargo until the man was reached and set free.

"Ahoy, messmate!" cried Bob now. "Are you stuck fast?"

"Ay, ay."

The words sounded so stifled and strange that I knew the moment had come
for me to make an effort to save him, and mastering the horrible
sensation of shrinking cowardice that came over me, I drew a long, deep
breath, and seized Bob Hampton to draw him aside.

"What's wrong, my lad? What is it?" he said, almost surlily. "It arn't
my fault; I'd go in to pull him back, but I shouldn't get in fur 'fore I
was stuck."

"No, no," I said excitedly. "Of course not."

"Then Neb had have to come, and he wouldn't get far arter me for he was
stuck too. Then what would you do 'bout pulling us out all three?"

"Nothing," I said, desperately. "You must not either of you go. The
time has come for me to try and save him myself."

Bob Hampton laid a hand upon my shoulder to stop me; but I thrust him
back and was half into the opening when the rustling sound within