r him, a
shark can't get him. It's when he's goin' down or comin' up that the
shark can come along an' tip him over an' cut his lines and end him,
mates."

This argument was plausible, and impressed all with its good sense.
However, that did not remove the danger. It was highly probable that the
shark was still hanging under the shadow of the _Seamew_ waiting for
more divers, and Jerry's courage did not alter matters in that respect.

The Kanakas had reported that the bottom was coral rock, and that the
wreck seemed to be lying on its side, with gaping openings through the
deck where the masts had been. During the discussion that followed
Jerry's expressed plan, it was decided that if the ship was indeed an
old galleon, she might have lodged on the rocks and split apart under
the action of the currents, which would account for the openings in her
decks. She was so overgrown with marine life, the Kanakas had said, that
little could be made out during their short visits below the surface.

"No use talking, mates," declared Jerry obstinately, "I'm a-goin' down,
and the sooner the better. Mates, you 'tend the pumps and keep watch for
any sign o' that there black fin. If you see it, haul up. Bob, lad, lend
me that 'ere kris, will you?"

As Jerry was plainly set upon the undertaking, there was nothing for it
but to assent, which the other men did with bad grace. All tramped out
on deck at once, and while Bob departed for the kris, Mart followed to
the landing. As he did so, he noted that while the men still wore
revolver belts, they had left their rifles at the head of the ladder.
Jerry noticed it also, and paused.

"Yorke," he ordered abruptly, "you stand by wi' one o' them guns, in
case I come up wi' the Pirate Shark after me. If you get a shot at him,
take it and haul away."

Yorke nodded and remained on deck beside Mart, while the others went
down the ladder to the landing with Jerry. Here the two diving suits had
been laid out that morning, together with the wooden box containing the
pumps. The hose and lifelines had already been connected, and all was
prepared for a descent.

As Jerry began getting into the neck of the huge rubber dress, he
cautioned the others against pulling him up too fast, for even in eight
fathoms there is danger from the sudden lessening of air-pressure should
the diver be hauled up rapidly. At this juncture Bob reappeared with his
kris, which was handed down to the men below.

The two b