But his was not a nature to give up until the last gasp.

The thought struck him that there was some chance for life by fully inflating the dress which, would have a tendency to lighten and give him more buoyancy.

He seized the air tubes and in the desperation of a final hope, he blew for his life.

He could feel himself lighting as the chambers filled.

He had the dress inflated almost to bursting and with a powerful effort, he threw himself on his back.