ady to drop the gig at a moment's notice. A perfect
mountain of a sea at this moment came sweeping down upon us, and as our
buoyant little craft floated up its steep side, she started upon a heavy
lee roll, that I saw would swing the gig well clear of her side, and at
the same time dip her almost into the water before the tackles were
started. We should scarcely get a more favourable opportunity.

"Lower away."

Prompt, at the word, the second mate allowed the falls to run rapidly
out, while the chief, sitting in the stern-sheets, with the yoke-lines
in one hand, grasped the releasing line in the other. As the barque
careened to her gunwale, the light boat swung far out from her side, and
in a moment splashed into the water. At the same instant a smart pull
upon the releasing line freed her from the tackles fore and aft; and as
the mate sheered her with the rudder toward the wreck, the men tossed
out their oars with a cheer and gave way.

"Fill the main-topsail," cried I. "Up with your helm, my man, and let
her gather way."

And as the barque drew away diagonally to windward of the wreck, we lost
sight of our boat behind the lee quarter of the latter, and began to
turn our attention to the problem of getting the people on board our own
ship, and of hoisting the gig once more to the davits, if possible,
after she had fulfilled her present mission. A sailor's duty constantly
brings him face to face with difficult problems, and among them all
there are perhaps few more difficult, though, of course, many of
infinitely greater importance, than that of successfully picking up and
hoisting a boat that has been launched in a very heavy sea, such as was
running upon this occasion. So violent was the motion of the
_Esmeralda_, that to have brought the boat alongside of and actually in
contact with her hull would have simply been to invite the instant
destruction of the smaller craft; yet it was of considerable importance
that the boat should be recovered, since there was no knowing how soon
her services might be required again. The problem was how to do it; and
here my previous experience was of no service to me, as I had never
before seen a boat launched in anything like such heavy weather as that
of the moment. So as we drew off from the wreck, and prepared to tack,
I gave the matter a little thought, and soon hit upon a plan that I
thought would answer our purpose. A few minutes sufficed to place us in
the proper