Carew himself undertook to scuttle the yacht. He cut away a portion of the panelling in the main cabin; then, having bored a large hole with an auger through the vessel's skin, he stopped it with a wooden plug. To this plug he attached a piece of strong cord, which he led up on deck through the skylight.
The men stood by watching him.
"You see, Baptiste," he explained, "I have but to pull this cord, out comes the plug, and the vessel fills and sinks."
"That is all very well so far," replied the mate; "but suppose you have pulled out your plug, and your vessel is three parts full, and the barque won't stop to pick us up,—anything is possible at sea; such inhumanity among sailors is not unknown,—what will you do then? How are you to get at that hole again to stop any more water coming in? A wise general secures his retreat, captain."
"I have thought of all that, Baptiste," said Carew; "you have not seen half my arrangements yet. Follow me into the after-cabin."
Baptiste obeyed.
"Now take up the flooring," continued the captain.
When the boards were raised a long piece of lead piping was disclosed, which was connected with the end of one of the ship's two pumps.
"Cut that piping off as close as you can to the pump, and bring it on deck."