“There you goes then,” growled Bob. “Now another. I’ll shove yer feet with my hands.”
There was a loud grunting and rustling, and Bob said, panting—
“There he goes. I’ve sent him in as far as I can reach. He must do the rest hisself.”
We crouched there just under the streaks of light which came down from the cuts, listening for a good ten minutes to the scuffling, scrambling noise made by the big sailor, but they all sounded close to us, as if he was not making much way; but I concluded that this was because the opening conducted the sound so well, and in hopeful anticipation I saw the brave fellow going on and on along the top of the cargo till he reached the forecastle bulk-head, upon which our friends must have tapped their signals. Then we should be able to arrange a plan of co-operation, and perhaps succeed in re-taking the vessel, when crash! down went my card castle.
“Bob!” came in smothered tones.
“Hullo.”
“Can’t get any farder, mate.”
“Why?”
“I’m too big.”
“Well, then, come back and let me try.”