he
Frenchmen know that they shouldn't have you as long as we'd a plank to
float you on, and an arm to strike for you. And now, Sam, just stump up
out of this, and try and get Billy some breakfast. I must go and lend a
hand in getting the ship to rights."

In the action one lieutenant and eight men had been killed, and
thirty-two wounded--their brave captain among the number, having lost
his arm, and being otherwise much injured, while from that day many
other poor fellows sank under their hardships and privations.

The hope now of reaching England was abandoned, and the ship bore up for
Halifax. Scarcely, however, was the helm shifted when a squall struck
her, and in an instant, as if they had been mere willow wands, the
already injured masts went with a crash over the sides. Now the tempest
came on and roared louder and louder, and the sea got rapidly up and
tossed the big ship helplessly about, and, before the slightest sail
could be made to keep her before the wind and steady her, a sea struck
her rudder and carried it away.

Thus like a log she lay, tossed about by the waves. The riven decks
could ill keep out the water which washed aboard her, while many of the
beams gave way, and those of the orlop-deck bent and cracked till
several of them fell into the hold. Nothing now seemed to stop the
entrance of the water. Paul and his old companions exerted themselves
to the utmost. They did not like to believe for a moment that the ship
would go down, and yet they could not help seeing that such a fate was
too likely to befall her. Furiously raged the hurricane. Higher and
higher rose the sea, and more and more the ship worked; and the leaks
increased till the entire hold was flooded, and casks and provisions of
all sorts were rolled helplessly about; the bread was spoiled, the
water-casks were stove in, and the greater portion of the fresh water
destroyed.

"Paul, what is to be done?" said Abel to his friend.

"Pump away, mates, and trust in Providence," was the answer. "Fresh
hands to the pumps, ho!" he sang out with as cheerful a voice as he
could command.

His shipmates followed his example and worked away with fresh energy;
but pumping is exhausting work, and dry work, too, and there was
scarcely any water left, and but a few casks of spirits could be got at.
These were carried aft and kept under charge of a sentry. A small
quantity only was served out at intervals to each man with a little
biscui