perfectly quiet until
bidden to move.

"All is prepared," he said as he entered. "Rinaldo, do you see that the
men come out one by one. As each comes out a weapon will be placed in
his hands, and he will be then led to the starboard side of the hold,
which is free from encumbrance, and will there stand until he receives
orders to move further. Remember that not the slightest noise must be
made, for if any stumbled and fell, and the noise were heard above, it
might be thought that some of the stores had shifted from their places,
and men would be sent below to secure them. The alarm would be given,
and a light or other signal shown the other ships, before we could
overpower all resistance. After the men are all ranged up as I have
directed, they will have to remain there for some little time, while we
complete our arrangements."

As soon as the sailors were all armed, and ready for action, Francis
entered the after hold, where Matteo and another had been engaged in
cutting the planks quite through. They had just completed the task when
he reached them, and had quietly removed the two pieces of plank.
Francis had already given his orders to his companions, and each knew
the order in which they were to ascend.

A dim light streamed down from the hole. Two of his comrades lifted
Francis so that his head was above the level of the hole, and he was
enabled to see into the cabin. So far as he could tell, it was
untenanted, but it was possible that the commander might be on the
divan above him. This was not, however, likely, as in the gale that was
now blowing he would probably be on deck, directing the working of the
ship.

Francis now gave the signal, and the others raised him still further,
until he was able to get his weight upon the deck above, and he then
crawled along underneath the divan, and lay there quiet until Parucchi
and Matteo had both reached the deck. Then he gave the word, and all
three rolled out and leaped to their feet, with their daggers in their
hands, in readiness to fall upon the captain should he be on the divan.

As they had hoped and expected, the cabin was untenanted. The other
volunteers now joined them, the last giving the word to Rinaldo, who
soon passed up, followed by the crew, until the cabin was as full as it
could contain. There were now assembled some fifty men, closely packed
together.

"That is ample," Francis said, "as they will be unarmed and unprepared.
We can issue out singly