"That's right, sir. Come on, lads, and have a try. Who's got knives?" "I have," said Barney. "Me too," growled Dumlow. "That's right, then; we may have to use 'em." Then a rustling sound began, and I knew that the men were feeling about overhead; while being able to think pretty clearly now, I came to the conclusion that we had been thrown down here, the hatches put on again, and the tarpaulin spread over them, and that was why it was so airless and hot. I had an endorsement of my opinion a minute later, for Bob growled out-- "Here's the hatches, sir, and they're all battened down and the 'paulins is nailed over 'em. I'll soon have some fresh air in." And before I could grasp what he was going to do, I heard a curious ripping sound, which told me that he had passed the blade of his long Spanish spring-knife through between two of the cross-hatches, and was cutting through it. "There!" he said, as a gleam of light struck through, so brilliant that I knew it must be broad daylight; and even that ray sent a thrill of hope through me, for it seemed to bring me nearer to the living world after feeling as if I had been buried alive. "Don't cut any more yet, Bob," I whispered. "But that there hole won't give enough air for one man to sniff, sir. You must have another to let out the steam." "But listen first," I said. "Can you hear any one on deck?" There was perfect silence for some minutes, and then came a deep-- "No." "What time should you think it is?" "'Bout four bells, I should say, sir. Sun's shining down so as the tarpaulin's made the hatch hot." "Then the lubbers are all having a caulk," growled Dumlow. "Tell him to have another cut, sir, and a good long 'un this time." I hesitated for a few moments, shrinking from doing anything to let the enemy know that we were trying to get out; but the heat was so terrible that I was obliged to give the order at last. "Cut, Bob," I whispered, and there was a low buzz of satisfaction as the knife ripped through the tarred canvas, and we could see a long streak of bright light. "'Nother, sir?" said Bob. "Yes," I said desperately, "we shall be suffocated if you don't." Rip went the tarpaulin again, and another streak of light a short distance from the others appeared, while directly after, without waiting for orders, Bob lengthened the first cut he had made till it equalled the two latter. "Won't be much better," he growled, "but it's better than nothing. Shall I get under the end of one of the hatches now, sir, and try and push it up?" "No, not yet. If we do that it ought to be after dark. But I don't think there will be any chance, for they are sure to be well fastened down. Listen again. There must be some one on deck." "Yes, sir, for sartain, but they'll be up at the other end. Dessay they're a-feeding o' themselves, and got plenty to drink."