ut the rockets--the same
rockets that Rollo had seen when he went back to the stern of the ship
to look out at the sea, on the day of the storm. One of the men, who had
often been at sea before, and who seemed to be well acquainted with all
nautical affairs, said that the rockets were used to throw lines from
one ship to another, or from a ship to the shore, in case of wrecks or
storms. He said that sometimes at sea a steamer came across a wrecked
vessel, or one that was disabled, while yet there were some seamen or
passengers still alive on board. These men would generally be seen
clinging to the decks, or lashed to the rigging. In such cases the sea
was often in so frightful a commotion that no boat could live in it; and
there was consequently no way to get the unfortunate mariners off their
vessel but by throwing a line across, and then drawing them over in some
way or other along the line. He said that the sailors had a way of
making a sort of _sling_, by which a man could be suspended under such a
line with loops or rings, made of rope, and so adjusted that they would
run along upon it; and that by this means men could be drawn across from
one ship to another, at sea, if there was only a line stretched across
for the rings to run upon.

Now, the rockets were used for the purpose of throwing such a line. A
small light line was attached to the stick of the rocket, and then the
rocket itself was fired, being pointed in such a manner as to go
directly over the wrecked ship. If it was aimed correctly, it would fall
down so as to carry the small line across the ship. Then the sailors on
board the wrecked vessel would seize it, and by means of it would draw
the end of a strong line over, and thus effect the means of making their
escape. It was, however, a very dreadful alternative, after all; for the
rope forming this fearful bridge would of course be subject all the time
to the most violent jerkings, from the rolling and pitching of the
vessels to which the two extremities of it were attached, and the
unhappy men who had to be drawn over by means of it would be perhaps
repeatedly struck and overwhelmed by the foaming surges on the way.

While Rollo was listening to this conversation, Hilbert's father and
another gentleman who had been walking with him up and down the deck
came and sat down on one of the settees. Very soon, Hilbert, seeing his
father sitting there, came eagerly to him, and said, holding out his
hand,--