"Now," exclaimed the Wizard of the Sea, "let us search for our passage."

Electric wires communicated with the engine room, so it was easy to
communicate directly with the engineers by pressing a knob of metal.

Touching this knob, the speed of the screw lessened considerably.

For about an hour the ship passed by a bank of sand, which was varied by
rocks, on which Mont saw all kinds of sea weeds, coral formations, and
curious fish agitating their fins in alarm at the apparition of the
_Searcher_.

At half-past ten a long and large gallery appeared in front, black and
apparently deep.

The ship entered this gloomy tunnel boldly, and an unaccustomed rushing
sound made itself heard against the sides, which arose from the waters
of the Red Sea rushing into the Mediterranean.

Following the current with the speed of an arrow, the ship made its way,
though the engines were reversed and the screw went backward to abate
the velocity of its progress.

A single false turn of the wheel, and the _Searcher_ would have been
dashed to atoms against the ironlike rocks on each side, above, and
below.

Mont held his breath.

He could see nothing but the foaming waters, made transparent by the
electric light.

Half an hour later the captain gave up the helm to the negro, and,
turning to our hero, exclaimed:

"We are in the Mediterranean."

In less than half an hour the ship, carried by the current, had
traversed the Isthmus of Suez.

The next morning they came to the surface, and were able to breathe the
fresh air again.

Stump was in high spirits when he found that they were near civilization
again, because he thought they had a chance of escaping, and this idea
was always uppermost in his mind.

He spoke to his companions about it, and they all agreed to follow him
if a good opportunity offered.

CHAPTER XXVII.

THE ESCAPE--CONCLUSION.

The ship traveled leisurely along the Mediterranean, often rising in
sight of land and lying like a log upon the water.

In the evening it was the custom of the prisoners to play at checkers,
dominoes, or some game they liked; and after the fourth day in the
Mediterranean, Stump, instead of putting the games on the table, shut
the door, and, in a mysterious way, exclaimed:

"I've squared the nigger!"

"Which?" asked Mont.

"Number One. He as waits upon us. His real name's Smunko. I've found
that out. Me and he's firm friends. I've told him I want to bolt, and he
s