it in, Higson grasped his hand at the
same moment that his feet touched the hammock nettings of the _Tornado_,
which the next was separated several feet from the vessel he had
quitted.

Those who had hitherto hesitated to leap now sprang overboard, and were
dragged up the side of the _Tornado_ by her crew. The master and one of
his mates were thus saved, but nearly half a dozen people still remained
on board. Jack had barely time to shake Alick by the hand, but not a
moment to inquire how he happened to be on board. Jack's wish was, if
possible, to save the poor fellows still clinging to the sinking vessel.

"We may do it," said Higson; "but we've run a fearful risk already of
losing the ship."

"We will try it," cried Jack.

"She's sinking! she's sinking!" shouted several voices.

Such indeed was the case; a heavy sea came rolling up, which even the
_Tornado_ with difficulty breasted, while it ran clear over the other
vessel lying at anchor. For some moments it seemed doubtful whether she
would rise, but another sea came hissing on into which her bows plunged,
not again to appear. Those on deck must have been washed far away, for
no human power could have withstood the furious sea which assailed them.
Ere another minute had passed, the masts of the ill-fated vessel had
disappeared beneath the foaming ocean.

The _Tornado's_ best chance of safety was now to stand out to sea, and
to battle bravely with the storm while it should last; still, while
there was a possibility of rendering assistance to others in distress,
Jack was unwilling to go to a distance. Some way off was another vessel
with signals of distress flying; he ordered Green to keep away for her,
intending to try and get the people off if there was a risk of her
foundering, as he had done from the first vessel. The sound of a gun
came from her, as if to show her urgent necessity for help; another and
another followed.

"We are doing our best," muttered Higson; "though it's little good, I
fear, we can do you."

The sound of the last gun had just reached their ears when the vessel
from which it came was seen to be moving; her cable had parted. Away
she drove before the fierce gale; her crew were seen attempting to range
another cable. The sea caught her starboard bow, and she drove bodily
onwards towards the rocky shore on which the fierce breakers were raging
savagely. To attempt getting nearer would have been worse than useless,
for Jack s