I will guide you to the spot, and on my return will pick out half a dozen more daggers, in case we want them for further work." When daylight made its way into the hold, Matteo and his watch woke, and were astonished to find that all their comrades were quietly asleep, and that they had not been awakened.

Matteo could not restrain his curiosity, but woke Francis: "Has anything gone wrong, Francis?
It is daylight, and Parucchi's party, as well as yours, are all asleep, while we have not been roused!" "Everything is going on well, Matteo, and we did not wake you, because there was nothing for you to do.

We have already passed in knives and javelins to the sailors, and they are at work cutting through two planks in their bulkhead; after which we shall be able to meet in the next hold, arm ourselves, and fall upon the Genoese when the opportunity offers." "That is excellent indeed, Francis; but I wish you had let us do our share of the work." "It did not take us more than two hours, Matteo, to make a hole big enough to pass the javelins through, and I should say Parucchi's party enlarged it sufficiently to hand in the daggers in another hour; so you see, it would have been useless to have aroused you, and the less movement we make after they get quiet at night, the better." "And how long will the sailors be cutting it through, do you think ?" "I should say they would be ready by this time, Matteo, but certainly they will be finished some time today." "Then we shall soon be free!" Matteo exclaimed joyfully.
"That will depend, Matteo.

We must wait till there is a good opportunity, so that we can recapture the ship without an alarm being given to the other vessels, which are no doubt sailing in company with us.

And now, if you have nothing to say, I will go off to sleep again, for there is time for another hour or two.