Bob peered down into the dark waters, where, after a moment, he made out the plank floating slowly toward the spot where the pipes disappeared beneath the surface. "Now, please hold the light up high, so that I can see what I am doing." The lad poised a moment, then leaped far out into the darkness. Instead of making a dive, head first, Bob chose to go down feet first. His body straightened, and as he neared the water he clasped his hands above his head. He took the water cleanly, making only a slight splash as he disappeared beneath the surface. As soon as he felt the water closing over him the Iron Boy threw out both hands to stay his progress and began treading water vigorously. He soon regained the surface. Jarvis came up blowing and puffing, shaking his head and making the water fairly foam about him as he struck out with hands and feet. "Are you all right, Jarvis?" called Mr. Penton in an anxious tone. "Yes, where's the plank?" "To the right of you. A little more to the right. There, it is directly ahead of you now." A few powerful strokes and Bob had grasped the plank. He pulled himself partly up on it and looked about him. "Can't you let a candle down to light up this hole?" he called. "I have nothing to let one down with. Do you see anything?" "Nothing that I want to see. Ho, Steve!" "Here," sounded the faint answer that seemed to come from several different directions at the same time. "Did you hear that?" demanded Bob excitedly. "Where did the sound come from?" "It sounded to me as though he might be over to the left. Have courage, Steve; we will have you out in a few minutes. I have sent for help. Can you keep up?" Their ears failed to catch any answer. "I'm coming, Steve," roared Jarvis. "Keep shouting if you can, so I'll know where you are." "Stay where you are, Jarvis!" commanded Mr. Penton sternly. "Do you think I'm going to stay here and let him drown?" demanded the lad. There was a splash as Bob Jarvis left the plank and began ploughing through the water at racing speed. "He'll be drowned; they both will be drowned!" exclaimed the superintendent. "Such pluck, such pluck! Hurry up, men; hurry!" he shouted as he caught the sound of voices off in the darkness of the sub-level. Half a dozen men, headed by the mine captain, came running toward him. "Look out! Look out for the hole in the floor. Have you ropes?" "Yes." "Then tie a few planks together. Make a raft and let it over the side. Work fast, for once in your lives! There are two men down there and they may be drowning." "Oh, Steve!" They could hear Bob's voice calling to his companion. The voice sounded far away, for Bob had plunged ahead, beating his way courageously through the waters in the black darkness. "I hear him. He's ahead of me," Jarvis shouted. "Can you hold out?" called Mr. Penton. "Yes--_as long as there's water to float on_!" the answer came back faintly.