I haven't played all my cards yet. We can live on this boat for a
week, if need be."
"You mean under water as we are now?" asked Mr. Hardley.
"Yes. I always keep the boat provisioned and with plenty of air
and water for a long stay, if need be," replied Tom. "And I did
not overlook the fact that we might have an accident on the trial
trip."
"I don't see how you let an accident happen before we even got
started," complained the gold-seeker. "I should think your
steersman would have been more careful."
"He is very careful," explained Tom. "But we have not used the
craft for some time, and, meanwhile, there have been changes in
the river, due, I suppose, to heavy tides. But we may get out of
the grip of the mud bank soon."
"And if we don't, what then?" asked Mr. Hardley.
"Then there is always the torpedo tube," said Tom calmly. "And
we are not very deep down. I think I can save you all."
"I certainly hope so!" was the fretful comment of the
adventurer. "I have too much at stake to be drowned like a rat in
a trap! You must send me up first if it becomes necessary to use
the tube.
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