But now the reptile swung the fore part of its body around and embraced Dave's other leg, rendering the youth almost helpless. The young diver kicked as hard as he could, but the reptile only clung the closer. Down went the youth, until he felt that he must be drowned or strangled to death. He was afraid to feel for the snake with his hands for fear of losing control of those members also. With a wild effort he arose almost to the surface, so that he could see above him. Whizz! It was a rope, thrown to him by Captain Broadbeam. It belonged to the rowboat and the captain had been carrying it, thinking it might be useful in one way or another. The end of the rope just failed to reach Dave, but as soon as he saw it the young diver did his best to get hold of the object. His breath was fast leaving him when he managed to clutch the rope with one hand. Then he drew it towards him and caught it with his other hand also. Captain Broadbeam was watching anxiously, and as soon as he felt the rope tighten he began to haul in, slowly at first and then with might and main. Nearer to shore came Dave, dragging the horrible water snake behind him. In vain the reptile tried to stay its progress. Then it thrashed around and caught Dave at the neck. In self-defense the youth had to take one hand and try to force the water snake away. But this could not be done. At last Dave could walk on the bottom, and then he struggled into shore with all speed. As he did this, Captain Broadbeam came to his assistance, and clutched at the reptile. But the water snake was out of its element on land, and in a trice it loosened itself, dropped back into the ocean, and disappeared. Dave was so exhausted he pitched headlong on the sand, where he lay, panting for breath. "Did he sting you?" queried the captain, anxiously. "I don't think so," was the gasped-out reply. "But he came pretty close to drowning me!" "I reckon you won't go bathing again lad." "Not for a million dollars!" "That's the worst of bathing in unknown waters. You don't know what you are going to run up against." "I didn't imagine there were water snakes here." After resting awhile, Dave dressed himself, and the pair went back to the camp. Dave was delighted to note that Bob was recovering rapidly and that Pat Stoodles was also doing as well as could be expected. "You want to be careful, Dave," said Bob. "We can't afford to lose you." "And I don't want to be lost," answered the young diver, grimly. "Have you seen anything of the savages?" "Not a sign." "They must wonder what has become of us." "Perhaps they think we escaped to the ship." "If we only had!" "That is so, Bob, but we have got to make the best of it." "And you can't see a sign of the ship anywhere?" "Not the least bit of a sign." "Too bad!" and the young engineer gave a deep sigh. Slowly the hours dragged by. It was very warm, but there were signs of a storm in the air.