“Yes, I know where there are two.”
“Then come with me: we must unship the ladder, and pull it up on deck, and then put on the grating; after that we must take our chance: we may succeed, and we may not—all depends upon their not waking too soon.”
We went to the hatchway, cut the cleat-lashings, hauled the ladder on deck, and then put on the grating.
“That will do, Tom, for the present. Now do you take the helm, with a crowbar all ready by your side. I will go forward and cut the cable: if those fellows rouse up while I am forward, you must do your best. I leave you, Tom, because you are more powerful than I am.”
“I’ll manage them both, never fear,” whispered I.
“When she swings, mind you put the helm a-starboard, Tom,” said Bramble in my ear.
This was the most nervous part of the whole transaction: the men abaft might wake, and I should have to master them how I could—and even if I did, the scuffle might awake those below, who were not yet secured; although, for a time, it would be difficult for them to get on deck. But fortune favoured us: the cable was severed, the ship swung round, and Bramble returned aft, and took the helm.
“Now is the time to see if I’m a pilot or not, Tom,” said he. “I think I can steer her through by compass, now that it’s nearly high water—luck’s all.” It was fortunate that we got the staysail hoisted for us, or we could have made nothing of it.
“It’s clearing up fast,” said I, as I kept my eyes upon where the men were lying abaft; “and there’ll be plenty of wind.”
“Yes, and we’ll have daylight soon. Tom, I don’t want you: I should like you to step aft, and stand over those two chaps; if they wake, knock them senseless—don’t kill them, as you can easily bind them while they are stupefied. And, Tom, look about you for some seizings all ready. I wish they would wake, for we are not safe while they are not secure. Put a handspike by me, and, if necessary, I will leave the helm for a minute, and help you: it’s better that she should go on shore than they should master us. We’re pretty safe now, at all events: I see the land—all’s right.”