The depth of wood remaining was tested by thrusting the point of a dagger through, and it was decided that little more than a quarter of an inch remained.
Upon the following day the ship anchored, and remained for two days in some port.

Provisions were brought on board and carried down into the hold, and the prisoners had no doubt that they were in harbour on the coast of either Sicily, or the south of Italy.

They had not set sail many hours, when the motion of the ship told them that the wind was getting up, and by night the vessel was rolling heavily, the noise made by the dashing of the water against her planks being so great, that those below could scarcely hear each other speak.

Their spirits had risen with the increase of the motion, for the opportunity for which they had been waiting was now at hand.

In a gale the vessels would keep well apart from each other, to prevent the danger of a collision, and any outcry would be drowned by the noise of the wind and water.
Each night Francis had paid a visit to the sailors forward, to enjoin patience until he should give them the order for making the attempt.
They had long since cut through the planks, which were only retained in their place by the pressure of the sacks behind them.