"Perhaps we can make matters a little easy for you," said Dick, in a gentle tone. "I am sure none of us want to see you suffer—if you want to reform."
"Of course we'll be easy," said Sam, and Tom and Hans nodded.
"Well, if you'll do—What's that?"
Dan Baxter broke off short and all in the cabin listened. There was a thud and a crash, followed by another crash.
"They are trying to break out of the engine room!" yelled Dick. "Come, we must stop them!" And he started for the deck, and all of the crowd went after him.
CHAPTER XXVIII
HATCHWAY AND DOOR
The news that the men were trying to break out of the engine room was true. Gasper Pold and Sid Jeffers had gotten a long piece of iron pipe and with this they were hammering at the hatch. One of the fastenings was already off and the others much weakened.
"Stop!" cried Dick, rushing up. "Stop, or we'll open fire on you!"
"We are bound to get out and you can't stop us!" yelled back Gasper Pold, and started to mount the iron ladder with a long wrench. This instrument he placed under a corner of the hatch and began to pry the wooden barrier upward.