Then followed a wild running and trampling and hoarse shouting, but the forms of the men were lost in the darkness and the sounds were distorted and confused by the roaring of the wind through the shingle-bundles. By this time the sea was running inches high, and threatening every moment to engulf the frail bark. Now came the mate, hurrying aft, and said, close to the captain's ear, in a low, agitated voice:  

"Prepare for the worst, sir—we have sprung a leak!"  

"Heavens! where?"  

"Right aft the second row of logs."  

"Nothing but a miracle can save us! Don't let the men know, or there will be a panic and mutiny! Lay her in shore and stand by to jump with the stern-line the moment she touches. Gentlemen, I must look to you to second my endeavors in this hour of peril. You have hats—go forward and bail for your lives!"  

Down swept another mighty blast of wind, clothed in spray and thick darkness. At such a moment as this, came from away forward that most appalling of all cries that are ever heard at sea:  

"MAN OVERBOARD!"  

The captain shouted:  

"Hard a-port! Never mind the man! Let him climb aboard or wade ashore!"  

Another cry came down the wind:  

"Breakers ahead!"  

"Where away?"  

"Not a log's length off her port fore-foot!"  

We had groped our slippery way forward, and were now bailing with the frenzy of despair, when we heard the mate's terrified cry, from far aft:  

"Stop that dashed bailing, or we shall be aground!"  

But this was immediately followed by the glad shout:  

"Land aboard the starboard transom!"  

 Prev. P 18/48 next