eavily half a cable's length from her. Everything was now
prepared for making sail. On the cable being shortened in, it was
discovered that it had swept over a rock about fifty fathoms from the
anchor, and that at any moment it might give way.

"Stop heaving!" cried the captain. "Make ready to slip!" The sails
were loosened; but as they were about to be sheeted home, the cable
parted. Instantly the sheet anchor was let go. For some seconds it
seemed doubtful, before it could reach the bottom, whether the ship
would strike on the rocks; but it happily brought her up, though
fearfully near them.

By this time it was again night; the rollers had greatly increased, and
should the sheet anchor give way, it was clear that nothing could save
the ship. Jack had seldom been in so anxious a position. All on board
saw the danger they were in. The major's cheek lost its ruddy hue, and
even Mrs Bubsby's countenance exhibited signs of alarm. Not far off
lay a small vessel with both anchors down. Her master coming on board
volunteered to make a hawser fast to her for the purpose of casting the
man-of-war the right way.

The engineer stated that it would be some hours before steam could be
got up.

"Then let me advise you, sir, to get under way forthwith," said the
master of the merchantman. "Should the anchor fail to hold, the ship
must inevitably strike on that reef of rocks where the surf is breaking
so furiously, and where, strong as she may be, she will not hold
together for an hour, while there will not be the slightest chance of
saving a single human life."

Jack gladly accepted the worthy master's offer. The cutters were
lowered, and hawsers carried to the vessel. The sheet anchor was then
weighed, when, on its coming above water, it was found that both the
flukes had gone. Her only hope of safety was on the remaining anchor.
Would it hold until sail could be made? From the direction the beats
were drifting it was soon seen that, in spite of all the efforts of
their crews, it would be impossible to carry the hawsers to the
merchantman. Jack looked anxiously at the compass and dog vanes. He
knew full well that at any moment the cable might part, and, should the
ship not cast the right way, she must be driven on the rocks and every
soul perish.

"I would advise you to return on board your own vessel, my friend," he
said to the master of the merchantman. "You will be safer on board her
than here."

"No