Almost, for he had sense enough and teaching enough to know that it would be an act of cruel madness to his men to force them to squeeze themselves, one by one, up through that light, ready to be knocked back helpless into the cabin. He glanced at Mr Russell, where he lay in his stupor, and recalled some words that officer had once said to him respecting the management of his followers:--"Always use them as if their lives were of greater value than your own, Vandean," he said. "Never risk them recklessly." "And that would be recklessly," Mark said, half aloud. "You speak to me, sir?" said Tom Fillot. "Eh? No, Tom; I was only thinking." "Of how to get out of this place, sir, and dropping on to them beggars up above?" Mark shook his head. "Don't say that, sir. Do think o' some way. It's 'orrid, and I feel 'shamed o' myself. I'd sooner have a fight for it, and be down in hospital six months arter, than be beaten like this here." "So would I, Tom; but what can be done?" "Why, here's five on us, sir, and you to lead us, all ready to make a rush for it. We're a bit knocked about, but full of fight. It's only for you to say the word." "I'm ready to say the word, man, but how can I?" cried Mark, eagerly. "Can we get out on deck through that light?" "Well, I'm feared as only 'bout a couple on us would, sir." "Right, even if we could manage that; and the survivors would be thrown back, worse off than we are now." "That's a true word, sir." "Well, you know what happened trying the cabin window?" "Yes, sir, I just do," said Tom, dolefully. "I thought Fillot AB's kit was for sale aboard the _Naughtylass_." "Then the door--the hatch; what about that?" "Ah," said Tom, thoughtfully, "what about that?" "Why, it's wedged and barricaded up, and exit that way is impossible." "Hah! Exit that way's impossible," said Tom, after a deep breath. "Exit that way's impossible." "We could not batter it open, but if we did, the whole gang would be waiting for us, ready to beat us back as we crept through, one at a time. Our only chance is to take them by surprise." "Only charnsh is to take 'em by surprise," said Tom, thoughtfully--"surprise--surprise. Look ye here, sir," he suddenly cried, eagerly, "why not take 'em then by surprise?" "How?" "Powder, sir, out o' that there locker." "What! and blow them up?" "O' course, sir," whispered Tom, "sky high." CHAPTER THIRTY NINE. DESPERATE MEASURES. "Powder? An explosion?" "Yes, sir; blow the whole thing out just when they didn't expect it." "The powder?" cried Mark, excitedly. "Yes, of course. Why, Tom, I _never_ thought of that. We will in the morning, when they are not so strictly on the watch." He looked excitedly at Tom Fillot for a few moments, and then his countenance changed. "No," he said; "it is impossible."