mingled with the cries and
shrieks of those who had remained on deck, or had fallen from the
rigging and been washed overboard, together with the oaths and
blasphemies of many of the survivors, mingled in one chaotic and
terrific uproar, which stunned and bewildered the senses. Some hours
thus passed. At last Hemming's voice was heard calling them quickly out
of the rigging; without hesitation they obeyed him. The brig had heeled
over on her side, and her decks were exposed to the full fury of the
sea.

Scarcely had Jack and Terence descended than the mainmast with a crash
went by the board, throwing off many who clung to it and crushing
others.

"Follow me, my lads, and we'll try to get on the rock close aboard us,"
shouted Hemming, as he began to clamber, often covered by the seas which
roared up over the ship, along the unstable mast, the extreme end of
which just touched the wave-washed rock.

"Come along, Paddy, come along," cried Jack, as they also endeavoured to
work their way in the direction taken by their commander.

CHAPTER TEN.

AGAIN UNITED.

The lightning flashed brightly, the sea, roaring loudly and wildly,
dashed over them, seeming angry at being disappointed of its prey, as
the two midshipmen climbed along the mast, till, reaching the very cap
of the topmast, they found that it rested on a small rock. Here all the
English were collected, including the sick men, who had been helped
along the mast by their messmates. They soon found, however, that the
sea broke over the greater portion of the rock, and that even the
highest part was wet and slippery with the spray. It also was evident
that the wreck considerably broke the fury of the seas, and that when
she went to pieces the rock would be untenable. No one, however, felt
inclined to fold his hands to rest. At length Hemming said that he
thought he saw something dark on the opposite side of the rock, and that
he observed when the sea washed up it came surging back as it does
between two rocks, and that thus he hoped there might be a larger one
farther on. They had contrived happily to get hold of the topgallant
halyards. Unreeving them, Hemming fastened one end round his waist, and
ordered the men to hold the other while he felt his way across the
seeming gulf. Jack and Adair strained their eyes eagerly after him as
he disappeared in the pitchy darkness among the roaring waters. On he
went, they gradually paying out the rope. Sudd