CHAPTER II 

 "THREE MEN IN A BOAT" 



At Osterville, Cape Cod, a cruising motor boat lay in the harbor. The 

 men who had chartered it for a month's use— Eddie, Carol and John- 

 were enjoying a summer vacation. They were equipped with the neces- 

 sary diving implements described in the preceding chapter. A motion 

 picture camera had been provided with a case for submarine work. The 

 crew was busily engaged in making final arrangements for some trial 

 trips to which they looked forward with intense enthusiasm. 



John was testing the pump, Carol stowing some groceries, while Ed- 

 die, in the bateau, was trying the water glass for the first time. The 

 results were disappointing because of mud in the water. Even with this 

 poor beginning, however, he found when using the instrument close to 

 a wharf that small fish could be seen with a distinctness that surprised him. 



All was now in readiness, and the three friends started on their first 

 adventure. They passed between the jetties, continuing away from the 

 shore, and sounding from time to time. The water became much clearer 

 than in the harbor. A place was chosen where the depth was ten feet, 

 and anchor was cast. Fine weather prevailed with a slight breeze causing 

 ripples on the water. Through the water glass the bottom, flat and sandy, 

 could plainly be seen. The pump was placed in position, and the hose, 

 carefully coiled, connected to pump and helmet. 



After the line, with weight tied to it, had been lowered to the bottom 

 and made fast, Eddie, elected to take the first dive and wearing only his 

 bathing trunks, jumped overboard and swam to the line. Grasping this, 



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