try and save the vessel? If we were to cut away the starboard
rigging, she might be freed from her masts and right herself."

The suggestion was of a practical nature, and pleased Tom; and all three
setting to work with their knives, with considerable labour cut through
the shrouds. Scarcely were the last strands severed than the masts with
a loud crack went by the board, and with a violent jerk the vessel
righted.

"There, lads!" said Tom; "I told you things would mend, if we would but
trust in Providence."

Tom wished to encourage his companions, for the state of the vessel was
only apparently a degree improved.

"Ah, now, if we had had the bo'sun and True Blue with us, and the poor
fellows for'ard, we might have still done well. Howsomdever, daylight
will come at last, and then we shall see better what to do."

As he ceased speaking, Tim Fid uttered a loud cry. "Why,--oh, mercy!--
there be their ghosts!" he exclaimed. "Paul and Billy! It can't be
them! They've been drowned this many an hour."

"It's them, though!" cried Harry. "Heaven be praised! They are
beckoning to us; let us go aft and help them."

He and his friends were soon grasping each other's hands, and describing
what had occurred. Tom soon followed, and poor Tim, having recovered
his wits, and being convinced that they were alive, joined them.

Their condition was sad indeed. There lay the vessel rolling and
tumbling about in the stormy ocean, the seas constantly making a clear
breach over her, the mainmast gone altogether, but the wreck of the
foremast still hanging on by the bowsprit and violently striking her
bows.

It was found that the best place for safety was inside the companion
hatch, where they all collected; and being there partially free from the
seas, they endeavoured to get a little rest, to prepare for whatever
they might have to do in the morning.

At length daylight broke; but it did little else than reveal more
clearly their forlorn condition.

True Blue having been preserved himself, was anxious to ascertain
whether his companions might have escaped in a similar way. Tom assured
him that there was no hope; but he insisted on going forward to see.
The rest of the party watched him as he performed the dangerous passage,
for the seas kept continually beating over the vessel, and might easily
have washed him away. He reached the fore-hatch, and, stooping down,
called to the men. No answer was given. The water wa