The marlinespike was thoroughly greased, and a small line attached
to the head of it, so that it could be easily drawn out of the loop,
when the cask had been secured to the hull of the steamer.

"There, we are all right now," said Lawry, after he had tried the
marlinespike several times to satisfy himself that it could be easily
drawn from its place. "Now we will make fast the rope which runs
under the keel to the hogshead."

"Here it is," added Ethan.

"We want to have the cask under the guard of the steamer when we get
it down."

"That will be easy enough."

"Perhaps it will; but I'm afraid the rope will bind on the keel."

"If it does, we must take the raft round to the other side of the
_Woodville_, and pass it round the windlass; we can haul it up
in that way."

"That will take too much time. I think you and I both will be strong
enough to haul the cask into place."

"Now, give us a turn at the windlass, Ethan," said Lawry, when he
was ready.

"Aye, aye," replied Ethan, as he turned the crank, and raised the