Mason and Nick found Ilona and Sam Thatch crouched over the panel that covered the hole in the deck. They were working to pry off the boards, but the pirates that had installed them had done so with the intent to make them as secure as possible. They also had to try to keep quiet, so progress was painfully slow.
Mason and Nick joined in their efforts, each person taking a turn in keeping watch for the dragons. They didn't dare use a hammer or make much noise to draw attention to themselves. That left them with very few options for getting into the cabin, and none of them were easy.
"Maybe we should just... cut a hole... in another part of the deck," Nick panted as he put all his strength into trying to pry up his corner.
"We can't cut another hole," Ilona frowned at him.
"Why not?" her brother asked, "It's not as if this ship is ever going to sail again. We might as well cut up the whole thing and use what we can."
