Thus ran my reflections, as I became once more roused to the energy that
for awhile had forsaken me.

I was on my knees, knife in hand, resolved and ready. That precious
piece of steel, how prized at the moment! I would not have exchanged it
for the full of the ship of red gold!

I have said that I was upon my knees. I could not have stood erect, had
I wished it. There was not room. The ceiling of my cabin was too low.

Was it my peculiar attitude that suggested the thought? Perhaps it had
some influence. I cannot now remember; but I well remember that before
proceeding farther in my design, I offered up a prayer--humble and
earnest--to God, who had already, as I firmly believed, stretched forth
his hand to succour me. I prayed for guidance, for strength, for
success. I need not add that my prayer was heard, else I should not now
have been living to record it.

My intention was first to work through the cloth-box, and discover what
was behind it. That which had contained the biscuits was now empty, and
I could get through it without trouble. It will be remembered that I
had already been inside the biscuit-box while searching for another, and
also while procuring the pieces of cloth; and so far my way was clear.
But to get across the one in which the broadcloth was packed, it would
be necessary to pull out several more pieces, to give me room to work on
to the next. My knife, therefore, would not be needed at first
starting; and putting it aside, where I could easily lay my hands upon
it again, I ducked my head and crawled into the empty box. In another
minute I was pulling and tugging away at the stiff rolls of broadcloth--
all my strength being exerted, and all my energies employed in detaching
them from their places.

CHAPTER FORTY FOUR.

THE CRUMBS SECURED.

This was a work that cost me both time and labour much more than you
might imagine. No doubt the cloth had been packed with the idea of
economising space, and the pieces were wedged as tightly together as if
done by a steam-press. Those opposite the opening I had made, came out
easily enough; but with the others I had more trouble. It took all my
strength to detach many of them from their places. When a few were
removed, the work became easier. There were several rolls larger than
the rest. They were larger, because they were of coarser cloth. They
were too big to pass through the apertures I had made, either the one in
the cloth-c