ver the sea;
and then the lowering commenced. This operation was not so difficult,
and in a few minutes more she rested upon the water. The men gave a
cheer at their success.

Many at once glided into the boat; while others remained above and on
the sides, passing down some necessary articles--some bread and water--
such things as could be most readily got at.

At this moment two men lifted between them a heavy barrel; and rolling
it over the bulwarks, commenced lowering it downward. The size and
shape of the barrel proclaimed its contents. It was a cask of rum, and
its weight proved that it had never been broached, but was quite full of
the potent spirit. No one objected to its being taken into the boat.
There were no protesters in that crew, but several now offered to assist
in lowering it down. A bight of rope was thrown around the cask, and
the letting down commenced.

It had scarcely balanced over the copper sheathing of the bulwark, when
the bight of rope--hurriedly cast around it--slipped off, and the heavy
barrel fell with all its weight into the bottom of the boat. Not
exactly into the bottom but upon one side--a little below the
water-line, as the boat lay.

A heavy crash was heard--not the firm concussion of the barrel striking
on the elastic timbers of the boat; but more as if something had broken
underneath where it fell. The barrel had fallen angularly and endways;
and the sharp projecting end of the oaken staves had struck between two
of the ribs of the boat, and fair upon the face of her outside planking.
As if the hand of a demon had guided it, the rum cast in its descent
had fallen upon one of the decayed planks; and the crash that had been
heard was the sound of the plank springing out of its bed and breaking
crossways at the same time!

A wild cry rose from out the boat, as those who were below saw the
catastrophe that had happened. It was visible even from the deck above;
for looking over I perceived a thick gush of water pouring through the
side of the boat.

Some of the men leaped out of her and came climbing up again; while
others remained endeavouring to staunch the hole, and with buckets that
were now thrown to them, commenced baling out.

They did not continue long at this. It was clearly a hopeless task; the
huge breach could not be mended, and the boat filled ten times faster
than they could bale her out. They soon abandoned the attempt; and,
dropping the buckets, followe