Part 59 (1/2)
”Yes,” said Aleck, calmly, ”I suppose it will be best”
It did not take hi to prepare, and as soon as he was ready his companion made the rope fast just round beneath the arhten
”There!” said theout the rope in rings and curves of various shapes, such as would easily run out ”I say, you are perfectly black when I look at you froe on a black ground Now, then, what do you ht down and swim as deeply as I can for the mouth”
”Try to s the job at one mouthful?”
”Yes”
”Won't do,” said the middy, authoritatively ”You couldn't do it You ently here and swim to that rock that's just out of the water”
”What! That one that seems just to the left of the arch?”
”That's the one Get out on it, wait a few , deep breath and dive”
Aleck pondered for a few ht I should have had to swim so far first if I started fro you have the better”
”I see,” said Aleck ”Now, then, let the rope run out easily through your fingers till I give it a sharp jerk That means pull o no further”
”If I pull twice it h, and then--”
”I shall tie my end of the rope round my chest and come too You need not pull, only just draw in the line, unless it stops, because that would ot into difficulties Do we both understand? I do”
”So do I,” said Aleck, ”so let's get it over If I wait o”
”Don't believe you,” said the middy, bluntly ”Now, then--ready?”
”Yes”
The as no sooner uttered than Aleck slipped down into the water and began to sith the rope being carefully paid out by his comrade, and in a minute he was fairly started He was at first invisible, but very soon began to look like a black object rew transparent
Then all at once the rope ceased to run
”What is it?” cried the middy, anxiously
”Got to the rock”
”Is the water deep?”
”Very”
”Well, get up, ready for your dive”