long enough to attract the attention of those blind bats yonder, all
might yet be well; but when at length our desperate race had carried us
to within about two and a half miles of the ship, and an occasional
glimpse of the whole of her hull could be caught when we were both at
the same instant hove up on the ridge of a sea, there was no perceptible
indication whatever that we had been seen by anybody aboard her. There
was no truck, and no flag-halliard fitted to the mast of the gig, and we
consequently had no means of hoisting a signal; but even if we had
possessed such means they would probably have been useless, because if
the sleepy lubbers had not noticed our sail, the exhibition of a
comparatively small flag would hardly be likely to attract their
attention.

We were still in the midst of an anxious discussion as to what we could
possibly do to make ourselves seen, when an end came to our pursuit. A
furious squall of wind and rain swooped down upon us, there was a crash,
and the mast thwart, unable to endure the additional strain thrown upon
it, gave way, the mast lurched forward and went over the bow, sails and
all, and at the same moment an unusually heavy sea overtook us, broke in
over the boat's stern, and filled her half-way to the thwarts.

I thought now that it was all over with us; fully expecting that the
next sea would also break aboard, completely swamp the boat, and leave
us all to swim for a few brief, agonising moments, and then to vanish
for ever; yet with the never-slumbering instinct of self-preservation, I
put the tiller hard over as the crest of the wave swept forward, and
then frantically threw out an oar over the stern, with which to sweep
the boat round head to sea. How it was achieved I know not to this day,
but so furious a strength did I throw into my work that I actually
succeeded in almost accomplishing my object; that is to say, I got the
boat so far round that, when the next wave met us, the bluff of her
starboard bow was presented to it, and although more water came aboard,
it was not sufficient to very materially enhance the peril of our
situation. Meanwhile the rest of the occupants seized the baler, a
bucket that somebody had been thoughtful enough to throw into the boat
when preparations were being made to leave the burning Indiaman, their
caps, or even their hoots--the first thing, in fact, that came handy--
and began baling for their lives.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN.

THE