The sailor hesitated: "That must be a shark," he said, "if we get in that water we are bound to be eaten up." Time pressed and Paul remonstrated with him in vain to get down.

Any moment either the captain or the mate might wake up and discover them.
To show an example that there was no danger Paul grasped the rope and slipped silently into the sea.

He was followed by one of the sailors, but the other could not overcome his fear and decided to remain.

His decision was irrevocable for he cast off the line and said: "Good-bye boys, I am sorry that I can't go, I dare not risk it." Paul and his companion pushed out and quietly passed under the stern and until sufficiently far away from the vessel, they were very gentle in their movement.

Feeling more secure they struck out with powerful strokes driving the plank that supported their bags, ahead.