Deal hotter in here, messmate. Just take hold o' my hind legs, as if
they was part of a wheelbarrow, and give 'em a lift and a shove at the
same time."

"That right?"

"Yes; that's good. Steady!"

"Steady it is."

"Now another. With a will, my lad."

"Right. How far are yer in?"

"Up to the middle, lad; and if yer give another shove I can get a bit of
a pull here. That's yer sort."

"I can't get you up no farder, messmate," said Bob. "Yes, I can, if you
clap your foots together. I'll plant my hands again 'em, and ram yer
along that way. Ready?"

"Ay, ready," came in smothered tones.

"There you goes then," growled Bob. "Now another. I'll shove yer feet
with my hands."

There was a loud grunting and rustling, and Bob said, panting--

"There he goes. I've sent him in as far as I can reach. He must do the
rest hisself."

We crouched there just under the streaks of light which came down from
the cuts, listening for a good ten minutes to the scuffling, scrambling
noise made by the big sailor, but they all sounded close to us, as if he
was not making much way; but I concluded that this was because the
opening conducted the sound so well, and in hopeful anticipation I saw
the brave fellow going on and on along the top of the cargo till he
reached the forecastle bulk-head, upon which our friends must have
tapped their signals. Then we should be able to arrange a plan of
co-operation, and perhaps succeed in re-taking the vessel, when crash!
down went my card castle.

"Bob!" came in smothered tones.

"Hullo."

"Can't get any farder, mate."

"Why?"

"I'm too big."

"Well, then, come back and let me try."

"Can't, mate."

"Why?"

"'Cause I'm stuck fast, and can't move either way a hinch."

Bang, bang! came on the hatches overhead, in company with a loud
talking, and above it the voice of Jarette.

"Have it off, my lads. Only one, my braves. And below there, be quiet
all of you. Make a movement, and I'll shoot you down like dogs."

Those were terrible moments. The sudden glare of light by the removal
of the hatch dazzled us, a couple of pistols were thrust down, and a
bucket of water was lowered. Then some biscuits were thrown to us, as
if we were the dogs of which Jarette had spoken; and I crouched there
motionless, thinking only of Dumlow jammed in there amongst the cases,
and expecting moment by moment to hear him call out for help.

But, poor fellow, he was as silent as we we