"I'm just knocking up a couple of dummy forelocks," explained the mate, opening his jack-knife once more. "I gave our fellows in the fo'c'sle the tip, and they'll get them in position as soon as the anchors are catted. I'm going to give these a coat of galvanized paint and I'll wager those German chumps won't notice the difference. Next time they drop the hook the pins will snap under the strain, the stocks will slip, and the old hooker will drag at the rate of knots." "That's a good wheeze, Armstrong," said Denbigh. "But look here. I want you to do me a good turn. Have you the duplicate key of this cabin?" "Sure I have," replied the mate. "I'm going to have a shot at getting ashore," declared the sub. "You'll be a fool if you try," said Armstrong bluntly and emphatically. "With this current running and the hippos barging about you wouldn't stand a dog's chance." "I'll wait till slack water and take my chance with the hippos," rejoined Denbigh. "If I succeed in getting ashore I'll make my way along the bank until I reach the entrance. I'm rather curious to see what the _Pelikan_ is doing." "I'm with you," volunteered O'Hara. "You'll stop here, old man," said Denbigh firmly. "If I stop you stop too," was the Irishman's equally determined rejoinder. "Look here, old bird; it's not like prowling around the upper-deck. Once ashore we'll be all right. One may be jolly useful in helping the other. Besides, I've a loaded pistol." "Might be handy," admitted Denbigh, secretly glad to have a companion for his enterprise. "But there's something you have which will be, I fancy, a jolly sight more handy." "What's that?" asked O'Hara. "The quinine the _Pelikan's_ medico gave you. Our chief danger is, I fancy, the chance of getting miasmic fever, especially after landing in saturated togs. A few grains will stave off a fatal illness." "All right," agreed O'Hara. "Then it's settled I'm to go with you. What's your plan?" "Nothing more than I have outlined," replied Denbigh. "We'll keep our eyes and ears open and see what steps the _Pelikan_ is taking for defence. There'll be enough moonlight to see fairly clearly." "Suppose you wouldn't like me to go with you?" enquired the mate. Denbigh shook his head. "No, thanks, Armstrong; you'll serve a far better purpose by remaining on board and screening our movements. Those fellows have set an anchor watch, I suppose?" "Only on the fo'c'sle," replied Armstrong. "That is to say, they hadn't put a man on watch over the stern cable when I left the deck. But there's no knowing. They imagine that they are safe from attack. I suppose they are so long as the _Pelikan_ remains afloat, so it's just likely that they'll be a bit lax. How do you propose to take the water?" "By the stern cable," replied Denbigh.