Paul indulged in a five cent dinner and deeply regretted that the Count was not there to share it with him.

He received one franc and seventy five centimes which he carefully stowed away.

After dinner the plank was shifted and they resumed work at the barnacles.

Before the six o'clock bell rang to cease work, Paul and his two preceptors were quite friendly.

They told him that if he intended to pursue the business he should remember one thing: "Never do what you did this morning, that is slip down the ropes first, particularly when there are three men to work on a plank, for," they gravely explained, "the two coming down last would occupy seats close to the ropes that net only act as a back brace when resting yourself, but would also be a means of saving your life in case the plank broke; when you could grab hold on the rope and the man in the middle would drop to the stones below and be killed.