t_ was in the trough of one while the
brig was on the summit, or sometimes on the other side, of the one which
had just passed astern of the leading vessel. "Here comes a lull--
Heaven be praised! Surely she's going ahead, Higson?" said Jack.

"It may be, though slowly," was the answer. The occasion was a trying
one to the young commander. "She's doing it now, sir!" exclaimed
Higson, with more hope in his tone than he had yet shown. There could
be no doubt about it--the vessels were drawing out from the bay, but
still the headlands appeared over the bows on either side.

"If the weather continues to be moderate, all may be right!" cried Jack,
taking a turn with more elastic step. All on board were looking forward
to saving the brig, when suddenly down came the tempest with renewed
force, and a report like thunder was heard; one of the stout hawsers had
parted. Still the other held, and might possibly hold. It was watched
as anxiously by Jack and those in the ship as by all on board the brig,
whose lives, in all probability, depended upon it. To replace it was
impossible, as no line had been retained for the purpose; should the
ship's speed be slackened, and thus take off the strain, both vessels
must drift back, and perhaps share a common fate. All now depended upon
the single hawser. Hope was not abandoned; the day was drawing on; for
more than three hours the steamer had been tugging away at the brig, and
if the hawser would hold, Jack determined to tug on till the storm
should abate. In that he was following the instincts of his nature--
every British officer worth his salt would have done the same. He was
impelled also by his faithful friendship for Adair, and he would have
been ready to risk his own life to save that of his old shipmate.

Again there was a lull, and the hopes of all revived; but it was only
for a time. A squall, heavier than any of its predecessors, struck the
vessels, accompanied by a tremendous downfall of rain. Every fibre of
the hawser was stretched to its utmost; a fearful sea came rolling in,
deluging the deck; two poor fellows on the forecastle were washed off,
but no help could be given them. Not a sound was heard as they were
borne into their ocean graves. Shrieks and cries arose from the unhappy
blacks on the maindeck, who believed that their last moments had come.
Just then another loud report was heard, the hawser flying like a huge
snake in the air; and many a voice e