Joe finally solved the difficulty of keeping cool by disappearing below and presently re-emerging in his swimming trunks and dropping overboard.

That set the fashion, and they all went in save Steve, who was too absorbed in his papers to know whether he was warm or not.

The _Follow Me_ came up the harbour just before five and tooted a greeting as she swung around to a berth near the _Adventurer_.

The fellows, who were still in bathing attire, swam across to her, and very shortly their ranks were increased by just half a dozen more.

The sight of Steve's feet hanging over the canvas was too much for Perry and he yielded to temptation.