e
back-stay.

"Lay down!" shouted Ludlow. "All is gone aft, but this stay!"

The Skimmer leaped upon the firm rope, followed by all aloft, and, gliding
downwards, he was instantly in the hammock-cloths. A crash followed their
descent, and an explosion, which caused the whole of the burning fabric to
tremble to its centre, seemed to announce the end of all. Even the
free-trader recoiled before the horrible din; but when he stood near
Seadrift and the heiress again, there was cheerfulness in his tones, and a
look of high, and even of gay resolution, in his firm countenance.

"The deck has failed forwards," he said, "and our artillery is beginning
to utter fearful signal-guns! Be of cheer!--the magazine of a ship-lies
deep, and many sheathed bulk-heads still protect us."

Another discharge from a heated gun, however proclaimed the rapid progress
of the flames. The fire broke out of the interior anew, and the fore mast
kindled.

"There must be an end of this!" said Alida, clasping her hands in a terror
that could not be controlled. "Save yourselves, if possible, you who have
strength and courage, and leave us to the mercy of him whose eye is over
all!"

"Go;" added Seadrift, whose sex could no longer be concealed. "Human
courage can do no more: leave us to die!"

The looks, that were returned to these sad requests, were melancholy but
unmoved. The Skimmer caught a rope, and still holding it in his hand, he
descended to the quarter-deck, on which he at first trusted his weight
with jealous caution. Then looking up, he smiled encouragingly, and
said,--"Where a gun still stands, there is no danger for the weight of a
man!"

"It is our only resource;" cried Ludlow, imitating his example. "On, my
men, while the beams will still hold us."

In a moment, all were on the quarter-deck, though the excessive heat
rendered it impossible to remain stationary an instant. A gun on each side
was run in, its tackles loosened, and its muzzle pointed towards the
tottering, unsupported, but still upright fore-mast.

"Aim at the cleets!" said Ludlow to the Skimmer who pointed one gun, while
he did the same office at the other.

"Hold!" cried the latter "Throw in shot--it is out the chance between a
bursting gun and a lighted magazine!"

Additional balls were introduced into each piece; and then, with steady
hands, the gallant mariners applied burning brands to the priming. The
discharges were simultaneous and, for an instant, volu