"Undoubtedly," admitted the captain. "But the sooner we make our preparations the better. Pass the word for Captain Rees, and ask him to warn his men to bear a hand. Unless every one works with a will our chances of success will be severely threatened." The sunken boats of the "Iticaba" were raised, baled out, and laden with movable stores from the submarine. Everything that could possibly be taken from the "Aphrodite" to lessen her already diminished draught was hoisted out, till the boats were laden as deeply as they could be in view of the fact that they would also have to pass the dangerous bar. "We had a matter of three hundred barrels of heavy oil in the old ’Iticaba,’ sir," announced Captain Rees. "It’s just possible that those murdering rascals have not stove in the heads of every barrel that came ashore. They might be of service in keeping down the broken water." "Might," remarked Captain Restronguet dubiously. "What do you say, Mr. Hythe?" "I’ve had no experience under circumstances like the present, sir," replied the sub. "The Board of Trade officials state that in a surf, or waves breaking over a bar, the effect of the oil is uncertain." "We’ll try it, anyhow," said Captain Restronguet. "Tell Mr. Kenwyn to take a party ashore--see that they are well armed and keep a sharp look-out--and bring back any barrels of oil that may have come ashore." In less than an hour Kenwyn’s party returned, pushing five large barrels over the sand. These were placed in the cutter, which was immediately sent seawards, for it was now nearly the time of high water. As the boat gained the fringe of breakers one wave washed over her bows. From the deck of the "Aphrodite" it could be seen that they were baling furiously. It was a question whether this cutter would escape being swamped; but after a strenuous struggle the boat succeeded in drawing clear of the surf. Anchoring, Kenwyn prepared to liberate the oil. Simultaneously the ’Aphrodite’ weighed her anchors, and with the other boats of the ’Iticaba’ in tow awaited the critical moment to attempt the risky passage. "They’re staving in the barrel, sir," announced Devoran. "There’s one overboard." "It makes a difference to the water already," observed Captain Restronguet. "But we’ll wait till they heave the contents of another couple of barrels overboard, and then we’ll see what we can do. By Jove, what’s that?" A sudden flash, vivid even in the strong sunlight, was followed by a dense cloud of smoke that completely hid the cutter from sight. Owing to the lack of wind the vapour hung about like a pall, but presently the heads of several men could be seen as they swam for all they were worth towards the shore. There was a rush for the boats that still remained alongside the "Aphrodite," and heedless of the risk they ran in pulling the laden craft towards the bar the crews bent to their oars.