“All is prepared,” he said as he entered.  “Rinaldo, do you see that the men come out one by one.  As each comes out a weapon will be placed in his hands, and he will be then led to the starboard side of the hold, which is free from encumbrance, and will there stand until he receives orders to move further.  Remember that not the slightest noise must be made, for if any stumbled and fell, and the noise were heard above, it might be thought that some of the stores had shifted from their places, and men would be sent below to secure them.  The alarm would be given, and a light or other signal shown the other ships, before we could overpower all resistance.  After the men are all ranged up as I have directed, they will have to remain there for some little time, while we complete our arrangements.”

As soon as the sailors were all armed, and ready for action, Francis entered the after hold, where Matteo and another had been engaged in cutting the planks quite through.  They had just completed the task when he reached them, and had quietly removed the two pieces of plank.  Francis had already given his orders to his companions, and each knew the order in which they were to ascend.

A dim light streamed down from the hole.  Two of his comrades lifted Francis so that his head was above the level of the hole, and he was enabled to see into the cabin.  So far as he could tell, it was untenanted, but it was possible that the commander might be on the divan above him.  This was not, however, likely, as in the gale that was now blowing he would probably be on deck, directing the working of the ship.

Francis now gave the signal, and the others raised him still further, until he was able to get his weight upon the deck above, and he then crawled along underneath the divan, and lay there quiet until Parucchi and Matteo had both reached the deck.  Then he gave the word, and all three rolled out and leaped to their feet, with their daggers in their hands, in readiness to fall upon the captain should he be on the divan.

As they had hoped and expected, the cabin was untenanted.  The other volunteers now joined them, the last giving the word to Rinaldo, who soon passed up, followed by the crew, until the cabin was as full as it could contain.  There were now assembled some fifty men, closely packed together.

“That is ample,” Francis said, “as they will be unarmed and unprepared.  We can issue out singly until the alarm is given, and then those that remain must rush out in a body.  Simply knock them down with the hilts of your swords.  There is no occasion to shed blood, unless in the case of armed resistance; but remember they will have their knives in their girdles, and do not let anyone take you by surprise.”