"We want to have the cask under the guard of the steamer when we get it down."
"That will be easy enough."
"Perhaps it will; but I'm afraid the rope will bind on the keel."
"If it does, we must take the raft round to the other side of the Woodville, and pass it round the windlass; we can haul it up in that way."
"That will take too much time. I think you and I both will be strong enough to haul the cask into place."
"Now, give us a turn at the windlass, Ethan," said Lawry, when he was ready.
"Aye, aye," replied Ethan, as he turned the crank, and raised the sinker and the cask, so that the skids which supported them could be removed.
"Lower away!" added Lawry, highly excited; and the sinker began to descend into the water, carrying with it the hogshead. "That works first-rate. Now hold on till I get hold of the other end of the guide-rope."
Lawry jumped into the wherry, and sculled round to the other side of the sunken steamer, where he detached the end of the line passing under the keel from the smoke-stack, where it had been secured. He hauled on the rope till he got it clear of the stone with which it had been sunk.
"Lower away!" shouted Lawry.