Yet to shew himself an understanding man, he demanded of Rawlins, "What weapons he had? and in what manner he would execute the business?"
To which, he answered, that "He had ropes and iron hooks, to make fast the scottels, gratings, and cabins. He had also in the Gunner Room two curtleaxes, and the slaves had five crows of iron before them. Besides, in the scuffling, they made no question [of taking] of some of the soldiers' weapons."
Then for the manner, he told them, "They were sure of the ordnance, the Gunner Room, and the powder: and so blocking them up, would either kill them, as they came down; or turn the ordnance against their cabins, or blow them into the air by one stratagem or other." Thus were they contented, on all sides; and resolved to the enterprise.
The next morning, being the 7th of February, the prize of Torbay was not to be seen or found; whereat the Captain began to storm and swear, commanding Rawlins to search the seas up and down for her: who bestowed all that day in that business, but to little purpose; whereupon, when the humour was spent, the Captain pacified himself, as conceiting he should be sure to find her at Argier. But, by the permission of the Ruler of all actions, that Argier was England! and all his wickedness frustrated.
For Rawlins being now startled, lest he should return in this humour, for the Straits; the 8th of February went down into the hold, and finding a great deal of water below; told the Captain of the same: adding that "It did not come to the pump!" which he did very politicly, that he might remove the ordnance.
For when the Captain asked him the reason, he told him, "the ship was too far after the head."
Then, he commanded to use the best means he could, to bring her in order.
"Sure, then," quoth Rawlins, "we must quit our cables, and bring four pieces of ordnance after [abaft]; and that would bring the water to the pump." Which was presently put in practice.