"Only about seven feet, sir," he whispered.

"That is bad. It is evident that the ship cannot get up here; still
we may as well go on sounding."

"The water is gradually deepening," Dick said, thrusting the pole
down again; "there are nearly ten feet."

It was not long before he announced fifteen, and at that continued
until they reached the entrance to the creek, where it was only
fourteen feet.

"It would be a touch and go there," the lieutenant said, "but I
dare say she could be pushed through. It is very unfortunate that
there is that shallow bar this side of the pool. And now, lads, you
can lay out for ten minutes, and then we can fasten up to a bough
and see what is in the hamper. We have done our work earlier than
I had expected, and can take it easy."

The steward had provided them with an ample store of food, and
the men ate their hunks of cold meat and bread, and passed round
the pannikins of grog, with great contentment, while the officers
divided a cold chicken and a bottle of claret.

"Now, men," the lieutenant said, when they had finished, "you can
have a quarter of an hour's smoke. You must open the lantern in
the bottom of the boat, and hold a jacket over it to prevent the
light falling on any of you."

When the men had lit their pipes the lantern was passed aft, and