race stood for some seconds, as if paralysed with the intelligence I
had given him. He seemed to watch and listen for the crisis, and so did
I.

After a short while, however, my companion recovered his presence of
mind and appeared busy thinking out some plan of deliverance.

But a few seconds only was he silent, and then, making a sign for me to
go after him, he glided towards the bows of the vessel.

No one saw or followed us, and there was nobody forward beyond the
windlass. At the moment all were busy amidships, in getting the great
mast overboard, and cutting away the strong ropes of the rigging.

Brace continued on over the bow-bulwarks, until he had got between the
bumpkin and bowsprit-shrouds, and close to the figure-head of the
vessel. Here he stopped and beckoned me towards him. I crawled over,
and stood by his side.

"Not a word, lad!--not a word of what you've heard! It can do no good,
but only harm. If they get to know't, they'll knock off work--every one
o' 'em--and then we must all either roast or drown. Let 'em go on with
the raft--maybe there'll be time enough yet. Almighty grant that there
may be, Willim! For all that, 'tan't no harm to try and save ourselves
if we can. The powder's sure to be about the cabin, and we'll stand a
better chance here forrard. But we 'ant a-goin' to stop here longer
than we can help. Look sharp, now, and give me a hand! These two
planks 'll float us. You cut some rope, then, while I knock 'em off--
there, cut clear the jib-sheets and downhauls--that'll do--quick, lad!
quick!"

Thus directing me, Brace, who had brought the axe along with him
commenced knocking off the great broad boards that stretched on both
sides from the bulwarks to the figure-head, and upon which the name of
the vessel was painted. With a few strokes of the axe the strong man
was able to detach them; and, as soon as this was done, he slung them in
the ropes I had already obtained, and lowered them down to the water.

Climbing out upon the bowsprit, he next detached the dolphin-striker,
and it also was lowered down, while I made myself useful by cutting
through the martingales, also the fore-topgallant and royal-stays, that
fastened this spar in its place. Several other pieces of timber yielded
to the axe; and all, having been thrown downward, floated together upon
the motionless surface of water.

Brace, now perceiving that there was enough to make a raft to carry the
two of us,