I hesitated for a few moments, shrinking from doing anything to let the enemy know that we were trying to get out; but the heat was so terrible that I was obliged to give the order at last.
“Cut, Bob,” I whispered, and there was a low buzz of satisfaction as the knife ripped through the tarred canvas, and we could see a long streak of bright light.
“’Nother, sir?” said Bob.
“Yes,” I said desperately, “we shall be suffocated if you don’t.”
Rip went the tarpaulin again, and another streak of light a short distance from the others appeared, while directly after, without waiting for orders, Bob lengthened the first cut he had made till it equalled the two latter.
“Won’t be much better,” he growled, “but it’s better than nothing. Shall I get under the end of one of the hatches now, sir, and try and push it up?”
“No, not yet. If we do that it ought to be after dark. But I don’t think there will be any chance, for they are sure to be well fastened down. Listen again. There must be some one on deck.”
“Yes, sir, for sartain, but they’ll be up at the other end. Dessay they’re a-feeding o’ themselves, and got plenty to drink.”
“Ay, trust ’em, messmate,” growled Dumlow, “but it’s no use to grumble. Ups and downs in life we see. We’re down now, and it’s their turn.”
“Now,” said Barney.