"Think of the oil and powder down there! The stuff is liable to explode any moment! You shall not go!" Frank saw a coil of rope at a distance.

He rushed for it, brought it to the hold, let an end drop and dangle into the darkness from whence the smoke rolled up.
"You are crazy!" roared Bruce Browning, attempting to get hold of Frank.
"I refuse to let you go down there!" "Don't put your hands on me, Browning!" cried Frank.

"If you do, I shall knock you down!" They saw that he meant just what he said.

He would not be stopped then.
Bruce Browning, giant that he was, felt that he would be no match for Frank then.
The rope was made fast, and down into the smoke and darkness slid Frank, disappearing from view.
Barely had he done so when some sailors came rushing forward and attempted to close the hatch.
"Hold on!" thundered Browning.

"You can't do that now!" "Get out of the way!" commanded one of them, who seemed to be an officer.