inted, but directly
after my heart gave a throb of satisfaction, for my hand came in contact
with that which I sought, the thin strong line that ran up from the deck
right to the mizzen-truck, passed through it over a wheel, and came down
again to the deck.

Opening my knife, I began to cut through the ascending line, and found
it so hard and tough that the knife had hard work to get through. This
was satisfactory, for it was evidently new and strong.

Then leaving one end hanging, I fastened the lower one to the first rope
I could feel, so that it should not fall to the deck. Then I began to
haul in the uncut portion, and found it came easily enough, but making
every now and then a faint creaking noise as the wheel in the truck spun
round.

I turned cold at this, for though it was very high up, I was afraid the
sound would take the attention of the men on deck.

But they paid no heed, and I hauled away till I felt sure that I must
have at least forty or fifty yards of the line--quite as much as I
wanted; and then I used the knife again, and after replacing it, wound
the line into a skein from elbow to hand, ending by hanging it round my
neck with the ends twisted in so that they could not get loose.

So far, so good, but I had not fastened the other end of the line to
save it from falling, and this I now did.

The next proceeding was, I knew, perilous, but I was desperate, and I
did not hesitate. It was my only chance, I knew, and I must do it.
There was the danger of being heard, and that of making a slip and going
overboard. But I was young, strong, and active, and giving myself no
time to think, I felt in the darkness for the crutch at the thick end of
the gaff or yard which embraced the mizzen-mast below the top--the yard,
that is, which spread the top of the mizzen-spanker--lowered myself down
till I stood upon it, and then taking well hold with hands and knees, I
began to creep softly up and along that diagonally stretched yard higher
and higher till I felt that I must be over the sea.

But in my desperation I did not hesitate. I climbed on, and I know it
was not easy; still I climbed on up that round perilous slope, feeling
that if the sea had been rough I should have certainly been jerked off.
And try hard as I would, I could not help making a little noise, which I
felt sure Bob Hampton must hear, for there he was below me leaning over
the wheel, and his head visible in the binnacle-light.

But he