Part 47 (1/2)

Rayner immediately put up the helm; but before the vessel had answered to it, she heeled over till the water rushed over the deck Then there came a clap like thunder, and the main-topsail, split across, was blown out of the bolt-ropes

”Square away the foreyard!” shouted Rayner

The vessel, righting, flew off before the fierce gale, the water rushi+ng and foa round her sides Astern, the whole ocean seemed a mass of tumultuous foa the vessel to the as impossible All that could be done was to run directly before the gale, and even then it seeht break over her stern and sweep her decks

The schooner, however, by continuing her course, was running on destruction, unless some port could be found under her lee to afford her shelter; but even then there was a great risk of being captured by the ene of truce, or believe that she ca the Frenchmen Besides which, as the vessel was a prize, it would be thought perfectly right to detain her

Dawn broke; for an instant a fiery-red line appeared in the eastern horizon, but was quickly obscured The increasing light, however, enabled the crew to carry on hich could not otherwise have been performed

Rayner and Oliver resolved that they must, at all risks, try to heave the schooner to while there was yet sea-room; and, should the weather ale was over and a boat could land the people with safety on the beach The first thing to be done was to strike the maintopmast Peek took the helet out the fid--the pin which secured the heel of the topmast in the cross-trees--but after considerable exertions, with a fearful risk of being jerked overboard, they succeeded in lowering down the et fore and main-trysails ready to set, should it be found possible to beat to ard, though at present it was evident that the schooner could not bear even that a a new stout sail, and it being closely reefed, Rayner hoped that the little vessel would lay to under it It was a dangerous experiment he was about to try, but he had to choose between two evils--that of being driven on shore, or the risk of having the decks swept by the tre up from the southward before the schooner could be hove-to She had already run a considerable distance nearer the land

Stationing the men in readiness to brace round the yard, he looked out for a favourable opportunity to put down the hel the vessel up to the wind

That favourable opportunity, however, did not come; every sea that rolled up astern threatened to overwhelm her should he make the attempt

The land appeared closer and closer If the vessel was to be hove-to it must be done at once, in spite of all risks

”Hold on, lads, for your lives!” cried Rayner, in English and French, setting the exa ”Now starboard the helm Haul away on the larboard headbrace Ease off the starboard”

Oliver and Jack, ere at the helm, as they put it down prepared to lash it to starboard; but as the vessel ca over her deck, carrying away the caboose and the whole of the bulwarks forward; at the same moment the foretopsail split as the other had done, and the canvas, after fluttering wildly in the blast, hisked round and round the yard

”Up with the hel as necessary, were already putting it up

Before another sea struck the vessel she was again before the gale

Her only resource was now to anchor, should no port be discovered into which they could run

The cable was accordingly ranged ready to let go at a moment's notice; but Rayner and Oliver well knew that there was little hope of the anchor holding, or if it did, of the vessel living through the seas which would break over her as soon as her course was stopped Still, desperate as was the chance, it ht be tiht lay to under it

The order was given to get the sail ready for setting as soon as she could be brought up to the wind Again the helm was put down

”Hoist away!” shouted Rayner

But scarcely had the sail felt the wind than it was bloay to leeward, and another sea, even heavier than the first, struck the vessel, sweeping fore and aft over her deck

Rayner, as clinging on to the rigging, thought that she would never rise again A fearful shriek reached his ear, and looking to leeward, he sao of his people in the embraces of the relentless sea

In vain the poor fellows atteain the schooner, farther and farther they were borne away, until, throwing up their ar waters