He repeated the operation and had, then, three short rods of equal length.

He now heated one end of each and, laying it on an axe on the ground, hammered it into chisel shape with the back of a light hatchet; repeating this several times, until it had the required shape and sharpness; then he plunged this into a pot of water.

He did the same with the other two; and had, now, three chisels with which he hoped to be able to chip away the stones.

The other ramrod he left intact, except that he sharpened one end.
Then, going up to Harry's room, he lay down and slept for some hours; putting the two boys on watch, and bidding the trooper look after them.

The two Burmans, with one of the guards, were to go to work with him.