There are three bars, and if we cut the rivets at one end of each, I have no doubt we shall be able to turn the bars on the rivets at the other end." They relieved each other at short intervals, and worked the greater part of the night.

At the end of that time the head of one of the rivets was cut almost through.
"We will leave it as it is now," Fergus said.

"A quarter of an hour's work will take it off.

As it is, no one would notice what has been done, unless he inspected it closely." Greatly encouraged by this success, the others now entered warmly into his plans.

Using his knife instead of a stone, he was able the next day to convert their knives into much better saws than his own had been; and the other two rivets were cut in a much shorter time than the first.
They waited another week and then the wind began to rise, and by evening half a gale was blowing, and the rain falling heavily.
There was no moon, and the night would be admirably suited for their purpose.