But now I had to think of my perilous journey back, and I shuddered as I thought how nearly I had been wedged fast beside the crate. Somehow, though, now that I knew the extent of my risk, it did not seem half so bad, I reached the crate, changed from the horizontal to the perpendicular opening, kept close to the top with my head and shoulders, and let my legs go down till I could rest them on the crossbar of the crate, made my way to the end round the corner, and reached the place where Barney was anxiously waiting, and then paused for a few moments to rest, ready to wonder at the ease with which I had returned. I said something of the kind to Barney, and he laughed. "Oh yes, sir," he said. "It's like going aloft when you're young. I remember the first time I went up to the main-topgallant mast-head, I said to myself, `On'y let me once get down safe, and you'll never ketch me up here again;' while now one goes up and does what one has to do without thinking about it, and--Hear that?" "Yes; what are they bumping about on the deck?" "Dunno, sir. Sounds like getting the big boats off from over the galley. But they won't hear us, sir; let's get back to where we can have a pull at the fresh air. Will you go first?" "No; you know the way best." Barney chuckled. "There arn't much queshtion of knowing the way, sir. There arn't no first turnings to the left, and second to the right. It's all go ahead, and you're sure to come out right if you don't get stuck, and I s'pose I mustn't get jammed anywhere 'cause of you." He went on, and as I followed I could not help thinking about how terrible it would be if he did get fast, and more than once a curious sensation ran through me as he struggled on. But we had no mishap, and at last crept out to where Bob Hampton and Dumlow were waiting for us. "You have been a long time, sir," growled the former. "Did you make anything out of it?" "Yes, Bob, I reached the forecastle." "You did, lad! Well done you! I allus thought you'd do something some day." Then I told them both of all that had passed, as I lay there in that hot, dark, stifling hole, thinking though all the while how delightfully fresh and light it was. When I had finished, Bob rubbed his ear, and growled softly-- "Why, my lad," he said, "seems to me as it's like pig-shearing." "Pig-shearing? What do you mean?" "Much cry and little wool, sir. We've all been crawling about in the hold like rats, and got to where the t'others are--leastwise you have-- and then you've come back again." "Yes, Bob." "Taken all that trouble for nothing." "Well, but I have been able to talk to them, and make plans." "Bah, sir, I don't call them plans. What was the good of us all getting smothered as we was, just to find out as we couldn't do nothing?" "I communicated with Mr Brymer and Mr Frewen," I cried.