"No, sir. Neb's two sizes too large for the place, and I'm one size. I got as far as he did, and if I'd moved a bit farder I should ha' stuck." "Yer didn't go as far as I did." "Yes, I did, mate." "How d'yer know?" "'Cause I brought back your knife as lay just where I reached." Neb Dumlow grunted, and Bob drew a series of very long breaths. "Rayther hot in there, sir, and Neb had swallowed up all the fresh air there was." "And precious little too. I could ha' swallowed bucketsful more if I'd had it." "Lor'! what a fuss you two chaps make," said Barney. "I knowed that's how it would be. There, shut your eyes, both on you, and see yer father do it." "You're not going, Barney?" I whispered. "Oh yes, I am, sir. I can do it." "Yes, sir, let him go," said Bob. "He's a reg'lar conger-eely sort o' fellow, as can wiggle hisself through a gas-pipe a'most. You let him go, and see what he can do." "Yes, sir, let me have a try," said Barney, and I reluctantly consented, though I had very little hope of his getting through. "Hadn't us better have a biscuit and a drink of water first, sir?" said Bob Hampton. "I'm strange and hungry yet." In my excitement I had forgotten all about the food, and giving the word, we squatted down round the bucket of water to nibble our biscuits and have a good drink from time to time; and in spite of the heat and closeness of our prison, that was one of the most enjoyable meals I ever ate. We had just finished when we heard Jarette and his followers talking above us, and the subject of their discourse, as far as I could make it out, seemed to be something about a boat. Then I heard Jarette say something that sounded like-- "Bah, my brave! He won't die. Well, let him. He'll be out of the way." Then there was a good deal of thumping and stamping about, and I fancied that they were going to open the hatch again. Under these circumstances I did not let Barney, who was thoroughly eager to show his prowess, make the trial; but at last all was quiet on deck, save that there was a good deal of talking and singing right aft, and as it seemed to me in the saloon. "They've got some good stuff forrard there, lads," said Barney, suddenly. "Why, o' course. I know," growled Bob Hampton, "and they might ha' left one or two lots for us." "What do you mean?" I said. "Why, sir, here's where there was a whole lot o' cases o' champagne stored, and they fished them out, and left this here hole as we're in. I wouldn't mind a drop o' that now to cheer us up again. It's werry good stuff, ain't it?" "What, champagne, Bob? I don't know. They say it is, but I never tasted it." "More didn't we, sir," said Bob. "You speak for yourself, old man," said Barney. "Well, you ain't tasted it, and you know it," growled Bob, "so tell the truth." "Well, I can't say as ever I did taste champagne," said Barney, "but I've had a bottle--ay, bottles and bottles--o' what comes next to it, and fizzles up wonderful."