s. Again I heard the groan. I was now sure that it was uttered
by one of our shipmates. It came from a part of the deck covered by a
mass of broken spars and sails and rigging. Though I could not see as
far, I knew that Jim had reached the fore-hatchway by hearing him
shouting and knocking with the back of the axe.

"Are any of them there?" I cried out.

"No! Not one, I'm afeared," he answered.

"Then come and help me to see if there is any person under these spars
here," I said.

Of course we had to bawl out to each other at the top of our voices on
account of the clashing of the seas, the groaning and creaking of the
timbers and bulk-heads, and the thundering of the masts against the
sides.

Jim soon joined me. We had to be very cautious how we moved about, for
besides the risk there was at any moment of a sea sweeping across the
deck, we might on account of the darkness have stepped overboard. We
lost no time in crawling to the spot whence I heard the groans
proceeding.

On feeling about we soon discovered a man, his body pressed down on the
deck by a heavy spar, and partly concealed by the canvas.

"Who are you?" cried Jim. "Speak to us,--do."

A groan was the only answer.

"Do you try and lift the spar, Jim, and I'll drag him out," I said.

Jim tried to do as I told him, but though he exerted all his strength he
could not succeed in raising the spar.

"Oh, dear! Oh, dear! The poor fellow will die if we cannot get him
free soon," I exclaimed, in despair.

"This will do it," cried Jim, who had been searching about, and now came
with the broken end of a topgallant-yard to serve as a handspike. By
its means he prised up the spar, while I as gently as I could dragged
out the man by the shoulders. No sooner did I feel his jacket than I
was almost sure that he was no other than our good old skipper. He was
breathing heavily, and had apparently been rendered unconscious by a
blow on the head. I at length got him out from under the spar.

"We must carry him below before another sea breaks on board," I said.
"Come, help me, Jim."

Together we lifted the old man, and staggering along the slippery deck,
reached the companion-hatch in safety. To get him down without injury
was more difficult. I going first and taking his legs, and Jim holding
him by the shoulders, we succeeded at last. While Jim supported him at
the bottom of the ladder, I hunted about till I found a tinder-box and
matches an