I shall want as many hands as I can spare to man the long-boat and cutter, in case we want 'em.

Steady there, lads! Easy!" and as the first eight men who could reach the deck parted to the larboard and starboard quarter-boats, Frere ran down on the main-deck.
Mrs.Vickers, of course, was in the way, and gave a genteel scream as Blunt rudely pushed past her with a scarce-muttered apology; but her maid was standing erect and motionless, by the quarter-railing, and as the captain paused for a moment to look round him, he saw her dark eyes fixed on him admiringly.

He was, as he said, over forty-two, burly and grey-haired, but he blushed like a girl under her approving gaze.
Nevertheless, he said only, "That wench is a trump!" and swore a little.
Meanwhile Maurice Frere had passed the sentry and leapt down into the 'tween decks.

At his nod, the prison door was thrown open.

The air was hot, and that strange, horrible odour peculiar to closely-packed human bodies filled the place.