er whilst yet upon the stocks had been pressed vigorously
forward, when Dickinson found himself in a position to announce to the
Greek that another three days would see the schooner ready for sea, and
that--a sufficient number of men being now at liberty to proceed with
the work--the time had arrived for the laying-down of the ways and the
construction of the cradle. The eyes of the Greek sparkled with
delight. Three days!--Only three days more, or four at most, and the
time for which he had so anxiously waited would have arrived; the time
when he would find himself master not only of a battery which would
enable him to hold the island against all comers--Johnson included--or
rather, Johnson especially--but also of a smart little craft capable of
sailing round and round the _Albatross_, and heavily enough armed to
meet her upon equal terms. Let but those three or four days pass
without interruption, and with what sincere delight would he view the
approach of Johnson and his brig, and with what a warm and unexpected
welcome would he receive them! He rubbed his hands with fiendish glee
as he thought of this, and slapped Dickinson playfully on the shoulder
as he bid him commence the necessary work forthwith.

Thereupon Dickinson boldly stated that he must have the advice and
assistance of Captain Staunton and Lance, as he didn't know enough about
cradles and ways and suchlike to build 'em properly, and he couldn't
find anybody on the island as did!

The ex-boatswain's mate was in hopes that this proposition of his would
load to at least a temporary amelioration of the condition of his two
friends, if not the absolute establishment of a better state of things;
but his hopes were unexpectedly and effectually quenched by the
announcement that the Greek knew all about it, and intended to
superintend that part of the work himself. The time had now arrived
when a definite plan of action at the decisive moment ought to be fully
agreed upon; and feeling this, Dickinson arose from his bunk about
midnight that night, and lighting his pipe sauntered in the direction of
the Black Hole, hoping for an opportunity to confer and finally arrange
matters with the prisoners confined therein. To his great
disappointment and chagrin he found the door of the place--a small low
building roughly but very solidly constructed of stone, with no windows
and no means of ventilation save such as was afforded by the momentary
opening of the door