But it stuck tight to its mother-rock, and I was ready to go up before it was ready to come loose, and so I went up without it.
"'T aint easy to git them things," said the captain, and the two boys said: "No indeed, boss, ye cahn't git them things dat-a-way." I didn't say anything, but in a few minutes I made another dive.

I determined to look around a little, this time, and seize something that I could break off or pull up.

I found that I couldn't stay under water, like the darkeys could.

That required practice, and perhaps more fishy lungs.
Down I went, and I came right down on a small sea-fan, which I grabbed instantly.

That ought to give way easily.