Oakum gave way, and felt a grim kind of satisfaction in helping to bring the Cuban on deck, where, in spite of his struggles, he was forced to assume one of the diving suits, and almost before he knew it the helmet was thrust over his head and secured, making him a complete prisoner, at the mercy of his tormentors. "Now let the sharks have a go at him if they like," said Rasp, as he forced the prisoner to the side. "I've a good mind not to give him a safety-line; but there, I won't be shabby." As he spoke he secured the rope to the Cuban's waist, and then, as he fully realised that they were going to send him overboard, he made a desperate struggle to free himself, but all in vain. There were five to one; the gangway was open, and, acting all together, Laure was forced to the side, and fell backwards into the sea with a sullen plunge. STORY ONE, CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN. "GOOD-BYE." Rasp had placed a man at the pump and a supply of air was being kept up, a supply now augmented by another man being sent to help turn the wheel, while with a grim look of satisfaction Rasp took hold of the life-line and tightened it a little, to feel the unwilling diver's movements. "He'll be pulling hard directly," chuckled the old fellow. "Only let him see a shark--one of his first cousins--a villain. Wonder what Mr Dutch'll say when he knows how we've been serving out the scoundrel as--" "What does all this mean?" exclaimed Dutch, coming so suddenly upon the group that they started asunder, and the air-pump stopped. "On'y giving that rascal a lesson in diving," growled Rasp. "Whom? What do you mean? You surely don't mean to say that Laure, the prisoner--" "They're on'y having a lark with him, sir," said Oakum. "Quick, there! Pump, you scoundrels," exclaimed Dutch; and the wheel spun round once more. "Rasp, Oakum, pull here. You dogs, if mischief has befallen that man I can never forgive you." Setting the example he hauled upon the life-line, and 'Pollo running to his help, the Cuban was dragged to the surface, and lay motionless on the deck as Dutch freed him of his helmet and exposed his livid face. "Quick! Call up Mr Meldon," cried Dutch; but that gentleman was already on deck, and, to the great relief of Dutch, declared the Cuban to be still alive. It had been a narrow escape for him, as, between dread and the want of air, another few seconds would have sufficed to finish his career. As it was, quite an hour escaped before he recognised those who had worked hard to restore him, and then it was with a malignant grin of disappointed malice. "He'll do now," said the doctor; and as the patient seemed disposed to sleep, they left him--Oakum, who was exceedingly penitent for the part he had taken, being stationed as sentry at the door.