"What's that rock for?" he demanded, pointing to the sinker which
lay on the skids.

"To sink the casks with," replied Ethan; and he explained the
process by which the hogsheads were attached to the hull of the
_Woodville_.

"Well, Lawry, if you had been studying seven years to get up the
stupidest thing that could be thought of, you could not have got up a
more ridiculous idea than this," said Ben, laughing contemptuously.

"How would you raise her?" asked Lawry quietly.

"Well, I wouldn't do it in this way, I can tell you. If you want me
to take this job in hand for you, I'll do it. You might as well try
to raise the Goblins as the steamer in this way."

"It is very easy to condemn the method," added Ethan indignantly;
"but it isn't so easy to find a better one."

"You say you don't want any help from me," said Ben.

"If you can tell me any better way, I should like to hear it,"
replied Lawry.

"If you want me to raise your steamer, say the word."

"Let me know how you intend to do it, first," persisted Lawry. "It's
easier to talk than it is to do."