remast, and then we'll set the foresail. That will lift
her bows out of the water, if it only holds."

So saying, Captain Miles yelled out for the watch below, and the men
presently came out from the forecastle, Davis, the whilom second mate,
along with them, the lot shambling unwillingly along the deck to the
galley, where they clustered in a body.

"Now, men," said the captain, "we must try and get some sail on the
ship, or else we'll have all our timbers crushed in forwards by these
seas; who'll volunteer to go aloft and help stay the foremast? It's
risky work, and I don't like to order anyone to go."

Not a soul spoke in answer for a minute or so, and then Davis stepped
out a pace in front of the others.

For a moment I was lost in admiration of what I conceived to be his
pluck; but, the next instant, I perceived I had been too hasty in
jumping at this conclusion.

"What do you take us for, Cap'en Miles?" Davis sang out sullenly. "Do
you think that men are dogs to waste their lives for nothing? Why don't
you go aloft yourself, if you are so anxious about the job?"

Captain Miles turned quite white, as he always did when his temper was
up. He was then ready to dare anything, like most men of a deep nature.

"So I will, you mutinous scoundrel!" he cried; and he was just making
his way down the poop-ladder to go forwards, when Jackson, almost
jumping over his head, outstripped him, being down in the waist and up
to the loiterers in a jiffey.

"Come on, you cowards!" the brave fellow exclaimed, clambering up into
the fore-rigging and making for the top. "Who's man enough to follow
me?"

There was no lack of volunteers now.

First one, and then another, scrambled likewise into the shrouds and
climbed up after Jackson, only Davis being left below in his glory out
of the whole watch.

Even he too was following; but, on Jackson shouting out something about
his "not wanting any lubbers to help him," Davis sneaked back into the
forecastle.

The others then set to work vigorously, rousing up the end of a spare
hawser, which had been coiled round the mainmast bitts, and securing it
round the foremast head. The ends of this stout rope were then hauled
aft and made fast to the main-chains on either side, when, a purchase
being rigged up and brought to the capstan, the hawser was hove taut--
thus serving as a double preventer stay, to support the great strain
there would be on the foremast when the fore cour