Mr Thudicumb's glancing axe descended, while at the same moment the
boatswain cut the weather shrouds; and as the mast fell over, several
brave fellows sprang to leeward to divide those on the lee side. Still
the ship lay helpless on the foaming water.

One more hope remained--the foremast must go; should the ship then be
unable to rise, our doom must be sealed. Anxiously we all watched the
captain. Again he looked to windward, carrying his glance round on
every side. His hand was raised to his mouth, apparently about to give
the same ominous order as before, when suddenly the ship rose up from
her dangerous position; and now, feeling the power of the helm, away she
flew before the fierce hurricane. Hour after hour we continued our
course, wherever the wind sent us--chiefly, however, towards the east.
It was impossible, with the fearful sea there was then running, to
attempt to raise jury-masts. Should land appear ahead, we knew too well
that there was every probability of our being cast on it. We might
anchor, and with the masts gone, the anchors might possibly hold, but we
could scarcely indulge in that hope--indeed, few on board had any
expectation of escaping shipwreck.

Again and again the captain examined his chart. It could not, however,
be entirely depended on. A bright look-out was, of course, kept ahead,
that whatever danger there might be in our course might be discovered as
soon as possible, and such efforts made as good seamanship might dictate
to avoid it. The time was a very trying one. I should have been
anxious had I no one I cared for on board, but I dreaded the danger to
which my dear sister Emily might be exposed, and I felt, too, for Mrs
Davenport and Grace. Men can more easily escape from shipwreck, and if
cast on a desert island are better able to rough it, than females; but
what hope would there be of two young girls escaping with their lives,
should we be cast on shore? I had not forgotten either the remarks
Potto Jumbo had made about the Lascars. I could not help fancying that
they all had a more than usually sulky manner. When ordered to do any
duty, they generally gave a scowling glance towards the officers, and
performed it in a slovenly, indifferent manner.

Darkness came on, and still the wind blew as hard as ever, and the ship
flew on before it. I had been on deck for many hours, and it was my
watch below, and in spite of the danger we were in, I could scarcely
keep my