e formation of the raft.

The ability and despatch with which sailors can construct a raft, would
be almost incredible to a landsman who had never seen the thing done.
It is not from mere concert or organisation among themselves--though
there is something in that. Not much, however, for well-drilled
soldiers are as clumsy at such a work as farm-labourers.

Though the principal material of a raft be timber, the sailor with his
rope will far sooner bind it together than the carpenter with his hammer
and nails; and bind it far safer and surer. The rope is the sailor's
proper weapon, and its use he understands better than all others. He
knows at a glance, or by a touch, whether it be the thing for the
purpose intended--whether it be too long or too short, too weak or too
stout--whether it will stretch or snap, or if it will hold securely. He
knows, as if by instinct, what sort of knot should be used for this, and
what sort for the other--whether a "reef-knot" or a "bowline," a
"diamond" or an "overend"--whether a "clove-hitch," a "clinch," or a
"cat's paw"--all these modes of splicing and trying, with five times as
many more, are secrets only known to the sailor.

And only he can rapidly cut down a mast, or detach a spar from its
rigging, and get them overboard without delay. The aid of a landsman
would be of little service in operations like these.

Like bees the men went to work--every one of the thirty and four. Some
handled the saws and axes--some carried spare-yards and spars, some with
their knives attacked the running gear and provided the ropes. All were
equally busy--all equally interested in the result.

In a few minutes the main-mast came down with a crash, falling over the
side, and grinding the bulwarks beneath it as if they had been hurdles
of reeds; and in a few minutes more its rigging was all cut loose--both
running and standing--its shrouds and stays--sheets, braces, and lifts.

The great mast, with its yards still attached, soon rested upon the
water alongside the wreck--for the _Pandora_ might now be called a
wreck--and upon these, as a foundation, the raft was speedily laid. The
spare spars and yards, the gaffs and booms, were thrown upon top, and
soon lashed firm by those who had descended to the water, and who now
found footing upon the huge floating mass of timber. Empty casks were
bunged and flung overboard, and these added essentially to the safety of
the structure and its capability