"But what are we to do, Master Rupert?"
Rupert was silent for a minute.
"There is but one way, Hugh. We must blow up the boat."
"Blow up the boat!" Hugh repeated, in astonishment.
"Yes, Hugh. At least, blow the deck up. Give me that keg of powder."
Hugh opened the locker. It was, fortunately, still above water.
"Now, Hugh, put it in that high locker there, just under the deck. Knock its head out.
"Now tie a pistol to those hooks just above, so that its muzzle points at the powder.
"Now for a piece of cord."
"But it will blow us into smash, Master Rupert."