The snag was cut away and vain attempts were made to pass a tarpaulin under and so stop the hole.

Paul stood near his friend Tom, and suggested that he dive under, take a rope with him, and so enable them to pass a canvass below.
"Do you think you can do it without drowning ?" said Tom.
"I am certain," was the response.
Tom handed him the end of a rope.

Without hesitation Paul sprang into the water and dove under the then sinking barge.

The rope was hauled up and another passed to him with which he repeated the operation.

Two ropes were fastened to the tarpaulin, two more fastened to the other corners.