and an extra turn of a chain or hawser there, made all fast, so
that before the squall had time to raise the sea, the raft held well
together, and yielded, without breaking, to the motions of the waves.

Of course every one was drenched, including poor little Polly, for
although the tarpaulin turned off the waves and spray above, it could
not prevent the water spirting up between the spars from below. But
Polly was, according to Baldwin, "a true chip of the old block;" she
bore her discomforts with heroism, and quite put to shame poor Mr Luke,
whose nervous temperament caused him great suffering.

Thus was spent a night of anxiety. The next day was little better, and
the night following was worse. In addition to the violence of the wind
and constant breaking over them of heavy seas, the darkness became so
intense that it was difficult to see where damage to the fastenings
occurred, and repairs became almost impossible.

About midnight there was a terrible rending of wood in that part of the
raft lying farthest from Polly's bower, and a great cry of fear was
heard. The more courageous among the men sprang, by a natural impulse,
to assist those in distress. It was found that a large portion of the
raft had broken adrift, and was only held to it by a single rope. On
this portion were two passengers and one of the crew. The former were
apparently panic-stricken; the latter made frantic but futile attempts
to haul in on the rope.

"Bear a hand, boys!" cried Edwin Jack, as he laid hold of the inner end
of the rope.

Strong and willing hands were ready, but before they could lay hold the
rope parted, and Jack was dragged violently into the sea. He rose like
a cork. Little Wilkins lay down, and stretched out a helping hand.
Jack caught it, and would infallibly have dragged the little fellow into
the water if Ben Trench had not thrown himself on his legs and held on.
Baldwin Burr seized hold of Ben, and the captain coming up at the
moment, lent his powerful aid. Jack was saved, but the broken part of
the raft, with its hapless occupants, was swept away and lost sight of.

This sad event had naturally a very depressing effect on every one.
True, the portion of the raft which had broken away was large enough to
sustain the unfortunates who were on it. Moreover, some of the
provisions had also gone with them, so that there was hope of their
holding out for a time and being picked up by a passing ship, but the
hope