All he grasped was
that Darrin was doubtful of his ability to keep them both up.

In an agony of unreasoning, stupefied dread, Midshipman Page swiftly
wound both arms around Dave Darrin.

"Here!" commanded the young captain the crew. "Don't do that!"

But Page either did not hear or did not heed. His arms clung
more desperately around Dave, binding one of the latter's arms
to his body.

"He'll drown both of us!" was the thought that flashed instantly
through Midshipman Darrin's mind.

There was no time to think of more. Before he realized that the
thing was happening Darrin felt the waters close over his head.

Both midshipmen were going down. While Darrin's mind was fully
alive to the situation Page, a gallant fellow at heart, and thoroughly
brave, was now unwittingly carrying his comrade down with him to
death.

Nor, in the first moments, did any of the other midshipmen note
the tragic happening.

It was not long, however, before Dan Dalzell's agonized query
shot over the waters:

"Where's grand old Darrin?"

Dan groaned with his helplessness. For Dan was, at that instant,
holding up one of the poor swimmers, to leave whom would be to
abandon him to death.

CHAPTER XXI

OFFICIAL AND OTHER REPORT

When under the water, and in imminent danger of drowning, seconds
count as hours.

If they perished, now, Page would be spared the deep horror of it
all, for his mind was already clouded again through his recent
injuries.

He retained only consciousness enough to fight like a dying wild
beast.

With one of Darrin's arms pinioned Page seemed fighting to get the
other in an equal state of helplessness.

Dave fought to free himself. Yet he did not struggle too hard.

"If I free myself abruptly, I may lose Page!" was the thought
that rushed through his brain.

To free himself of his comrade in order to get to the surface
alone and safe was furthest from the young midshipman's mind.

"It's a tough fix, but I'm going to get Page to the surface, or
stay down here with him!" throbbed Dave.

They were near enough to the surface to enable Darrin to see his
comrade, though not with much clearness.

Down under the water all forms looked indistinct.

While Darrin struggled cautiously his mind worked fast.

It would have been easy enough to choke Page into insensibility,
but that would cause the unreasoning midshipman to open his mouth,
insuring his drowning.

Suddenly Dave saw his chance!