Any one less courageous than himself would have abandoned the attempt from a conviction of its utter hopelessness; but, though it might for a moment damp his ardour, it could not deter him.
Once again, he passed his hand over the surface and carefully noted all the obstacles.

There was a lock, apparently more than a foot wide, strongly plated, and girded to the door with thick iron hoops.

Below it a prodigiously large bolt was shot into the socket, and, in order to keep it there, was fastened by a hasp, and further protected by an immense padlock.

Besides this, the door was crossed and recrossed by iron bars, clenched by broad-headed nails.

An iron fillet secured the socket of the bolt and the box of the lock to the main post of the doorway.
Nothing disheartened by this survey, Jack set to work upon the lock, which he attacked with all his implements;--now attempting to pick it with the nail;--now to wrench it off with the bar: but all without effect.