A silence of some minutes followed, and then Dory heard the voices of the party in the cabin; but they were more quiet than they had been at any time before. Doubtless, things were beginning to look more serious to them. The boards at the hatch had been tested; and, when the prisoners left the hold, the machinist joined the skipper on the quarter-deck. The party below did not seem to be doing any thing; but presently there was another demonstration at the hatchway, and Mr. Jepson rushed forward to repel any attack in that quarter.
The sticks were brought into use again, and the machinist was kept busy breaking off the ends of them for some time. Dory watched him with interest until he heard a strange noise behind him. When he turned to see what it was, he discovered Mack in the act of coming over the taffrail to the deck. He had only time to take a turn in the tiller-rope he had held in his hand to assist him in holding the helm, before the robber rushed upon him.
"I have got at you at last, and we will settle it here and now!" exclaimed Mack, as he threw himself upon the skipper.
Dory had expected to see a revolver staring him out of countenance, when he discovered the approach of his assailant, and he had put his hand on his own weapon. But when Mack sprang upon him, he was ready for him. It was a short struggle, though a very violent one; and Dory held his man by the throat till the machinist came to his aid. Together they tied his arms behind him, and rolled him into the scuppers.
During the brief absence of the instructor from his post, the prisoners made some progress in enlarging the openings between the boards; and, if their work had not been checked, they would soon have made their escape. A part of them appeared to have been sent there to make a diversion for the benefit of those who were to operate at the stern.
There were two stern windows to light the cabin, and there was no skylight on deck. The prisoners had removed the sash, and one of them had reached the deck in this way. Dory had no doubt the rest of them would follow their leader; but, as they could come only one at a time, he thought he should be able to take care of them, with what assistance Mr. Jepson could give him. It must take some time for each of them to crawl through the small window,--which did not seem to be large enough to admit the passage of a man,--and more time to climb to the deck after they got out; so that they were not likely to have to deal with more than one at a time.