The second mate, who still remained below—his place being taken by Bludson after a fashion—now led Ralph to the grated door where stood the loaded howitzer. The sentry was not there; another sign of the crew's demoralization. He had slipped into one of the store rooms, now left unlocked, to tap a water butt unseen, for all hands were on short water rations.
When Duff and the boy halted, they could hear a sort of rasping sound from underneath like the boring or cutting of wood.
"What is that?" asked Ralph.
"Mischief," said the mate sententiously. "Those wretches in the hold are up to some trickery. These stupid sentries are too dull or careless to investigate. They are crazy for water in there, and it is my opinion they have got hold of something and are trying to cut a way out—God knows where!—perhaps through the bottom of the vessel."
"Suppose you tell the captain."
"He is that obstinate he'd simply curse me, and probably give no heed. But some one else might speak with better effect."
"Do you think I had better?"
Ralph spoke doubtfully, realizing that he also was no favorite with Gary.
"You might bring it about in some way. I certainly owe Captain Gary no favors, yet I should hate to stand by and see those fiends cut their way out, and say nothing. They would murder every soul on board."
Later on, Ralph found a chance to tell the captain what Duff had told him. Gary's scowl deepened.