I went on deck, and looked round; I could not see the two men, it was so dark.  I then walked forward, and looking well round to see that they were not on the forecastle, I sat down before the windlass and commenced operations.  In a couple of minutes I had divided the two strands, and I went aft, where I found Bramble at the binnacle, in which a light was burning.

“I have done it,” said I, “and if the wind freshens at all, she will part."’

“All’s right,” said Bramble, “those two fellows are fast asleep under the taffrail, covered up with the trysail, which lies there.  Now, Tom, for a bold push:  go down once more, and see how they are getting on in the cabin.”

I went down:  every man was asleep—­some on the locker, some with their heads on the table.  I came on deck:  it rained harder than ever.

“This will be a clearing shower, Tom, depend upon it; and the wind is freshening up again.  Now, have you looked out for a handspike or crowbar?”

“Yes, I know where there are two.”

“Then come with me:  we must unship the ladder, and pull it up on deck, and then put on the grating; after that we must take our chance:  we may succeed, and we may not—­all depends upon their not waking too soon.”

We went to the hatchway, cut the cleat-lashings, hauled the ladder on deck, and then put on the grating.

“That will do, Tom, for the present.  Now do you take the helm, with a crowbar all ready by your side.  I will go forward and cut the cable:  if those fellows rouse up while I am forward, you must do your best.  I leave you, Tom, because you are more powerful than I am.”

“I’ll manage them both, never fear,” whispered I.

“When she swings, mind you put the helm a-starboard, Tom,” said Bramble in my ear.

This was the most nervous part of the whole transaction:  the men abaft might wake, and I should have to master them how I could—­and even if I did, the scuffle might awake those below, who were not yet secured; although, for a time, it would be difficult for them to get on deck.  But fortune favored us:  the cable was severed, the ship swung round, and Bramble returned aft and took the helm.

“Now is the time to see if I’m a pilot or not, Tom,” said he.  “I think I can steer her through by compass, now that it’s nearly high water—­luck’s all.  It was fortunate that we got the staysail hoisted for us, or we could have made nothing of it.”

“It’s clearing up fast,” said I, as I kept my eyes upon where the men were lying abaft; “and there’ll be plenty of wind.”

“Yes, and we’ll have daylight soon.  Tom, I don’t want you.  I should like you to step aft, and stand over those two chaps; if they wake, knock them senseless—­don’t kill them, as you can easily bind them while they are stupefied.  And, Tom, look about you for some seizings all ready.  I wish they would wake, for we are not safe while they are not secure.  Put a handspike by me, and, if necessary, I will leave the helm for a minute, and help you:  it’s better that she should go on shore than they should master us.  We’re pretty safe now, at all events.  I see the land—­all’s right.”