report, like a cannon shot, it went overboard too.
Immediately after the fall of the mainmast there came another wave, from
which they never expected to rise again. It dashed down on the stern
and drove in the cabin windows; but the worst of it was, that it swept
away all the boats belonging to the ship. They had been securely
fastened to the deck; but this wave carried them all away, so that now,
if the ship sank, their only chance of escape was gone. The same wave
snapped the foremast across near the deck. This was fortunate, because
it enabled the ship to "right" herself, and once more the men were able
to stand on the deck. The storm continued to rage still, however, and
some of the men were sent to work the pumps, for there was a great deal
of water in the ship now; so much, indeed, that she could hardly float.
Another party were ordered to fit up a small mast, which they tied to
the stump of the foremast. This new one was called a "jury-mast;" and
as they could not sail without a mast of some kind or other, they were
very glad when they saw it up and a sail hoisted on it. During the
night, however, another heavy wave broke this mast away also; so they
were again left to toss like a log on the stormy waters.

All this time the men were working hard at the pumps, but, although they
worked for many hours without stopping, the water continued to increase
in the hold, and they saw that the ship had sprung "a leak;" that is to
say, some of the planks had started, or the seams had opened, and the
water was pouring into it so fast that it was evident she would soon
sink. This was very awful indeed. Some of the men began to cry to God
for mercy, others tore their hair and ran about like madmen, while some
sat down and silently prepared to die!

The morning light came at last. But what a sad sight it rose upon. The
once noble ship now lay a wreck upon the water, with the masts and sails
gone and her shattered hull ready to sink. The captain, who seemed to
have lost all hope when the jury-mast broke, was standing on the poop,
looking anxiously round the horizon in hopes of seeing a sail--but in
vain. Davy stood beside him, and looking up in his face, said, "Please,
sir, could we not make a raft?"

"Right, boy, right," replied the captain; "you're the best `man' amongst
us. We're no better than girls to be giving way to despair in this way.
Hallo! lads, rouse up there; get all the spare yards and spars you can