so as to make room."

"And I don't see, if one got there, that it could be a great deal of
good, because they couldn't get here, and we couldn't all get there."

"They seems to think it would be some good, sir," growled Barney,
"because they keeps on knocking. There they goes again."

For once more the tapping commenced, and was repeated impatiently as we
did not answer.

"Give 'em the sigginals, Bob," said Dumlow, gruffly.

The tapping was answered--three taps together, two, then one, and in all
manner of variations; till the others stopped, and so did we, and there
was silence till Bob spoke.

"That's all very pretty," he said; "but, you see, it don't lead to
nothing. They raps, and seems to say, Here we are! And then we raps,
and says, So are we! And so it goes on, over and over again, till you
don't know what they mean, or what you mean, or where you are. I wish
we could do something to make 'em understand as we're stuck fast."

"The only way to do that is to tell them so," I cried passionately.
"Even if nothing more comes of it, I feel as if it would be something to
feel that you can communicate with your friends when you like. We might
contrive something too, some means of escape. Yes, we must get to them,
my lads."

"Then you'll have to starve down, Barney, till you're as thin as a
skelington," said Bob, "and then have another try."

"All right, messmate, I'm willin'," said Barney, with a sigh. "I don't
like going without my wittles, but what we gets here arn't much to lose.
There you are then, Mr Dale, sir; starve me down till I'm small
enough."

"No, Barney," I said firmly; "there's no need. I'm small enough
already; and if you'll follow me for company as far as you can, and to
help me if possible, I will go myself. I said when you were in there
I'd try and help you; now you must try and help me. Will you come?"

"My hand on it, sir, if you'll shake it."

I shook it.

"I shall keep as close to you as I can, sir," said the sailor. "You
won't want any telling which way to go, for there is only one way for
you to get along, as you'll soon find out."

I started, and soon felt that I must be past where the two men had found
it so tight a fit, though I had had no difficulty in getting along
whatever, and gaining courage from the excitement, I crawled forward
over the tops of rough packing-cases and between others, finding the
passage uneven, and with a different level every minute. Now