own on
his brow, was closely looking on. As it was my spell at the crow's-nest,
I made at once for the main-rigging, and had got halfway to the top,
when some unusual sounds below arrested me.

All hands were gathered in the waist, a not unusual thing at the
changing of the watch. In the midst of them, as I looked down, two men
came together in a fierce struggle. They were Goliath and the skipper.
Captain Slocum's right hand went naturally to his hip pocket, where he
always carried a revolver; but before he could draw it, the long, black
arms of his adversary wrapped around him, making him helpless as a babe.
Then, with a rush that sent every one flying out of his way, Goliath
hurled himself at the bulwarks, which were low, the top of the rail
about thirty-three inches from the deck. The two bodies struck the rail
with a heavy thud, instantly toppling overboard. That broke the spell
that bound everybody, so that there was an instantaneous rush to the
side. Only a hardly noticeable ripple remained on the surface of the
placid sea.

But, from my lofty perch, the whole of the ghastly struggle had been
visible to the least detail. The two men had struck the water locked in
closest embrace, which relaxed not even when far below the surface. When
the sea is perfectly smooth, objects are visible from aloft at several
feet depth, though apparently diminished in size. The last thing I saw
was Captain Slocum's white face, with its starting black eyes looking
their last upon the huge, indefinite hull of the ship whose occupants he
had ruled so long and rigidly.

The whole tragedy occupied such a brief moment of time that it was
almost impossible to realize that it was actual. Reason, however, soon
regained her position among the officers, who ordered the closest watch
to be kept from aloft, in case of the rising of either or both of the
men. A couple of boats were swung, ready to drop on the instant. But,
as if to crown the tragedy with completeness, a heavy squall, which
had risen unnoticed, suddenly burst upon the ship with great fury, the
lashing hail and rain utterly obscuring vision even for a few yards.
So unexpected was the onset of this squall that, for the only time that
voyage, we lost some canvas through not being able to get it in quick
enough. The topgallant halyards were let go; but while the sails were
being clewed up, the fierce wind following the rain caught them from
their confining gear, rending them into a t