een carried away, and was striking
against the fore-topsail, ready to sweep to destruction the hands who
were swarming on the yard; the main and mizen-topgallant-sheets had been
let fly, and the sails were flapping wildly in the gale; while the wind
whistling through the rigging--ropes slashing about--the seas dashing--
the bulkheads creaking--the masts and spars groaning, created a
perfectly deafening uproar. Then came a clap like thunder--the foretack
had parted, and the block striking a seaman had carried him overboard.
To attempt to pick him up was useless--he must have been killed
instantaneously. For a moment there was confusion; but the voice of the
captain, heard above all other sounds, quickly restored order. While
the topmen were clearing away the wreck of the fore-topgallant-mast, the
most dangerous task, handing the main and mizen-topgallant-sails, and
reefing topsails, the courses were hauled up, and the frigate righting
flew forward on her course. The sudden movement threw Tom and Gerald,
who had been holding on to the capstan, off their legs, and the next
moment, as she again heeled over to the gale sent them rolling into the
lee-scuppers, where they lay sprawling in the mass of water washing
across the deck--Gerald striking out with arms and legs under the belief
that he was overboard.

"Help! help! Heave us a rope. Where is it you are, Tom? Don't be
after giving up--swim away," he cried out, as he got his head above the
water still rushing round him.

Tom was striking out lustily, as Gerald soon discovered by a kick he
received from his foot, of which he caught hold, supposing it to be the
end of a rope. Tom struggled the more to release himself, having found
out that he was safe on deck.

"Let go, I say, or I shall never get on my legs," he exclaimed, kicking
away with all his might.

"Arrah now, I'll be drowned entirely," bawled Gerald, as the water again
washed over him. His shouts fortunately at this juncture attracted the
attention of Jack, who, setting him and Tom on their legs, told them to
go below and turn into their hammocks, as they were not of the slightest
use on deck.

Drenched to the skin and crest-fallen, after holding on to each other
for half a minute and gazing round them at the dark tumultuous billows,
they did as they were bid, glad to strip off their wet clothes and
endeavour to get between the blankets.

"Sure I'm after feeling mighty quare," said Gerald, as he was