Mr. Jepson seemed to be busy in chopping away at the sticks which the prisoners forward were still thrusting through the openings in the coverings of the hatchway. The machinist thought he must have cut up about all the wood they had provided below for use; but no decided impression had been produced by their labors upon the substitute for the hatches. Ripples worked desperately in his attempt to climb over the stern, and Dory saw his head above the taffrail. He procured a couple of lines, and then went to the assistance of the fellow. Taking him by the collar of the coat, which was within his reach, he dragged him over the rail of the stern, and deposited his carcass upon the deck. The moment the machinist saw him, he rushed aft. Dory put his foot on the enterprising climber, and held him down while his associate secured his arms behind him. Standing him up by the side of Mack, the instructor hurried forward, to make sure that there was no break at the hatches. The last comer upon the deck was so exhausted by his struggles in climbing over the stern, that he puffed like a grampus, and was not in condition to make any remarks upon the situation, even if he had been disposed to do so. Having righted the helm, and secured it again, Dory took a look over the stern. Another head was out of the window, and it was evident that the rest of the party intended to come on deck in the same manner as the first two. The skipper placed his stick where it would be available. There were seven more of them in the cabin and hold: but Dory felt that he held the key to the situation as long as the covering of the hatchway did not yield to the force applied to it below. He was perfectly willing the party should come on deck one at a time over the stern. As no one had attempted to use any revolvers, he concluded that they had none. It was a difficult matter to make the ascent from the cabin-window to the taffrail; and those who had done it, came up more or less exhausted, which gave Dory and the machinist all the advantage. The vessel was close in with the entrance of the bay, and it was necessary to tack again. As soon as he had done so, he took another look over the stern. There were two heads in sight this time. The operators had taken out the other window, and evidently intended to come up two at a time. "On deck, there!" shouted Chuck, when he heard Dory's step on the deck above him. "What is it?" asked the skipper, stepping back, and putting his hand over his mouth so as to change the tone of his voice. "Is that you, Mack?" "All right," answered Dory. "Haven't you knocked those two fellows over yet?" demanded Chuck impatiently; and it was evident from the question, that he expected assistance from the deck by this time.