thunder was heard--yet more
shrill than thunder--the sound every instant becoming louder and
shriller, till it seemed like that of countless voices screaming at
their highest pitch. On came the breath of the mighty hurricane, not
seen except by its effect on the ocean, which now began to leap and
foam, rising into huge rolling billows, sweeping along in threatening
array; the foam which flew from them forming one vast sheet covering the
ocean, while vivid lightning bursting from the clouds flashed in all
directions with dazzling brilliancy. The furious wind struck the
frigate on her broadside. In a moment over she heeled, and the
close-reefed fore-topsail, blown out of the bolt-ropes, fluttered wildly
in shreds, which speedily lashed and twisted themselves round the yard.
The helm was put up. After a struggle the frigate answered to it, and
off she flew before the wind, passing close under the stern of the
corvette, which lay with her masts gone, on her beam-ends, the sheets of
foam sweeping over her, almost concealing her from sight. The crew of
the corvette had been swarming aloft, and some had already laid out on
the yards when the hurricane struck her. Over she heeled--the tall
masts bending like willow-wands. The sheets were let fly, but it was
too late. The men called down by the officers endeavoured to spring
back into the tops, and those who could descended on deck, but many had
no time to escape. In one instant, it seemed, the three masts, with a
fearful crash, went by the board, carrying all on them into the seething
ocean; and the lately trim corvette lay a helpless meek, exposed to the
fury of the raging--which dashed with relentless fury over her. Efforts
were made by those on deck to rescue their drowning shipmates, whose
piercing shrieks for help rose even above the loud uproar of the
tempest, whose shrill voice seemed to mock their cries. Some few were
hauled on board, but many were swept away before aid could be rendered
to them. The masts, also, were thundering with terrific force against
the side, threatening every moment to stave in the stout planks, and to
send the ship and all on board to the bottom. To clear the wreck was
the first imperative work to be performed. Murray, followed by a party
of men armed with axes, sprang into the main-chains to cut away the main
rigging, while other officers were similarly engaged on that of the fore
and mizen masts. He saw at that instant the captai