“Of course,” said Oliver. “And do you think your plans will work?”
“I hope so, sir. We’ll give them a good try first, before we start upon another.”
They went down over the side and stood directly after examining the lines of the well-made little vessel, which was about the size of a Cornish fishing boat, and now that the greater part of the supports had been knocked away, and she could be seen in all her regularity, compliments were freely given to her builder and architect.
“Well, I’m not ashamed of her, gentlemen,” said the mate. “All I’m afraid of is that we shall weaken her a bit in hauling her along over the runners.”
“Have you got your runners made?” said Drew.
“Have I got my runners made, sir?” said the mate with a chuckle. “I’ve got everything ready, grease and all for making ’em slippery, and under her keel a bit of iron as smooth as if it had been polished. Look here!”
He pointed out the curve and finish of the keel, which was so contrived that the vessel was quite on the balance, and a couple of men could easily rock her up and down, while to keep her straight and prevent her lopping over to one side or the other, an ingenious kind of outrigger had been contrived out of a couple of yards, which rested on the ground, and were kept there about four feet from the keel. These two were well pointed and curved up a little in front, and gave the lugger the appearance of riding in a sledge-like cradle.
Moreover, a capstan had been rigged up, half a cable’s length away, and as soon as a rope had been attached to a hole low down close to the keel, word was given, the capstan was manned, the sailors gave a cheer as the stout cable secured low down beneath the lugger’s bows gradually tightened, strained, and stretched, quivering in the bright morning sunshine, but the vessel did not move. Then a halt was called while the mate re-examined the well-greased runners, and then gave the word for the men to ply their capstan bars once more.
But still she did not move, and a despairing look began to gather upon the mate’s brow, till Smith sidled up to Oliver and said,—
“I’ve jest whispered to Billy Wriggs to go round t’other side, sir, along o’ Mr Panton, and if you and me and Master Drew was to do the same here, I dessay we could start her.”