Pick out those that are nearest to the lower side of the beam, say three of them.

There are twelve of us.
That will give four to each bolt, and we can relieve each other every few minutes.

Remember, it is patience that is required, and not strength." The work was at once begun.

The young men had, by this time, fully entered into the spirit of the attempt.

The quiet and businesslike way, in which their leader set about it, convinced them that he at least had a firm belief that the work was possible; and there was a hope, even if but a remote one, of avoiding the dreaded dungeons of Genoa.
The work was slow, and two or three of the strips of iron were at first broken, by the too great eagerness of their holders; but when it was found that, by using them lightly, the edges gradually cut their way into the wood, the work went on regularly.