"Very well," he said.  "Then as soon as the carpenter has finished here he must go aboard the prize, taking with him as many men as Mr Howard can spare.  You shall go with him, remaining aboard the _Gelderland_ until the able-bodied portion of her crew can be transferred to this ship, when you will undertake that piece of work, using, if need be, to facilitate the operation, such of the prize's boats as will float.  You had better find Mr Howard and acquaint him with this arrangement, and then tell the carpenter what I want him to do.  It appears to me that Mr Lucas is now almost, if not quite, ready to turn over to the prize. If so, you had better take him across."