We must use them carefully, for we may expect to have many breakages." "What next, captain ?" "Our object will, of course, be to cut through into the main hold, which separates us from the crew.

There we shall probably find plenty of weapons.

But to use our saws, we must first find a hole in the bulkhead.

First of all, then, let there be a strict search made for a knothole, or any other hole through the bulkhead." It was too dark for eyes to be of much use, but hands were run all over the bulkhead.

But no hole, however small, was discovered.
"It is clear, then," Francis said, "that the first thing to do is to cut out some of those iron bolts.