"You are telling the truth?" "I am--I swear it." "I will order a strict investigation. If anything is wrong----" And the captain ended with a stern shake of his forefinger at the rascal. Pete Rackley was then bound and cast into the brig of the ship. The assistant engineer was closely questioned, and he said Rackley had been seen frequently around the engine room. Then the entire machinery of the ship was inspected. At one point several bolts were found filed almost in two. At another point an oil cup was broken, so that the part might get dry and thus cause considerable delay. These things were all mended, and Captain Broadbeam ordered that Rackley be chained up in the brig because of his falsehoods. The day was spent in the vicinity of the island, looking for the _Raven_, but that vessel failed to appear. By the next morning both Bob and Pat Stoodles were pronounced out of danger by the doctor. A conference was held and it was decided that the _Swallow_ should now proceed with all haste to the spot where the _Happy Hour_ had gone down with the treasure. Nothing of special interest happened for several days. Bob Vilett grew better rapidly and was able to be around at the end of a week. Pat Stoodles' recovery was slower. But to the satisfaction of the friends he had made it was seen that the Irish castaway's mind was becoming clearer every day. "He'll be as clear-headed as any of us when he gets on his feet once more," said Doctor Barrell, and his statement proved correct. Day after day went by and the _Swallow_ kept steadily to her course. Amos Fearless was now as well as ever excepting for his voice. He could occasionally speak a few words in a hoarse whisper, but that was all; and he would sometimes break down in the midst of a sentence. This grieved Dave very much, but he could do nothing for the sufferer. "It is time alone can do it," said Doctor Barrell, encouragingly. But Dave was downcast. What if his father should never be able to talk again as of old? "I'd rather let the fortune go than have that happen," he told himself, over and over again. He was afraid that the affliction might grow worse, so that his parent would not be able to make any sound at all! CHAPTER XXIV ATTACKED BY A FIRE FISH "And this is the spot where the _Happy Hour_ went down?" "It is, according to the markings on the chart, Dave." "And how deep do you reckon the ocean is at this point?" "The chart says 12,500 feet--a little over two miles." "It is a deep distance. Regular divers could never make it. They would be crushed to death by the mere pressure of the water." "I have thought the matter over, Dave, and I think it will be best for both you and your father to go down only a half-mile the first day. Then, if that is successful, you can go a little deeper each day, until the bottom is reached. And you will have to use the diving bell at all times."