Although he was able to move it slightly, his utmost efforts failed to lift it more than an inch or two.
“They have piled too many ropes on it for me, sir; but I think that if some others will get on tubs and join me we shall be able to move the thing.”
“Wait a minute, Dimchurch. Let each man make sure that his musket is loaded.”
There was a short pause, during which all firelocks were carefully examined. When he saw that all were in good order, Will said:
“Now, lads, heave away.”
Slowly the hatchway yielded, and with a great effort it was pushed up far enough for a man to crawl out. Pieces of wood were shoved in at each corner so as to hold the hatch open, and the men who had lifted it stood clear.
“Clamber out, Dimchurch, and have a look round. Are there many of them on deck?”
“Only about a dozen, as far as I can make out, sir. They are jabbering away among themselves disputing, I should say, as to the best way to get at us.”
“I expect they intend to leave us alone and take us into Algiers. However, that does not matter. You two crawl out and lie down, then give me a hand and hoist me out. I think the others can all reach, except Tom; you had better hoist him up after me.”
Each man, as he clambered out, lay down on the deck. When all were up, they crawled along aft to within a few yards of the Moors, then leapt to their feet and fired a volley. Five of the Moors fell, while the others, panic-stricken, ran below.