een torn
from their fastenings and blown clean away.

The long-boat alone remained lashed amidships on the deck. Jack pointed
to her, but an old sailor shook his head and pointed to the sea. No boat
could hope to live in it a minute. Once in the breakers it would be
swamped instantly. The officers made their way forward.

"It is all over, lads!" the captain shouted; "but some of us may reach
the shore on pieces of the wreck as she breaks up. We will get the
long-boat ready for launching: some of you may cling to her. Now, lads,
let us shake hands all round, and meet our fate as British sailors
should do--calmly and bravely. At any rate some of us may be saved yet."

The crew of the _Wild Wave_ had been a happy one. Discipline had been
good, although every indulgence had been allowed the men, and all were
fond of her officers. There was a silent hand-clasp all round, and then
some of the sailors followed the officers to the boat. As they did so
they knew well that the order was given merely to keep them employed,
for the chance of anyone being washed ashore and reaching it alive
through the tremendous surf was small indeed. As they cut away the
boat's cover they looked round, and a low cry broke from several of
them. The ship was close to the broken water.

Every man clung to something and awaited the shock. In a few seconds it
came. As she descended a wave there was a tremendous shock, followed
instantaneously by a crash as the foremast went over the bow. Another
and another, accompanied each time with the sound of rending timbers.

"Cut away the lashings of the boat!" the captain shouted, drawing his
knife and setting the example. As he did so he touched Jack and pointed
into the bottom of the boat. The lad understood him. He was to put in
the plugs, which at ordinary times were left out to allow any rain-water
to escape as it fell. Jack in turn touched Arthur, and the two climbed
into the boat to replace the plugs.

As they did so a fiercer gust than usual struck the vessel. The lashings
of the long-boat had just been cut, and the gale seized it and raised it
in the air as if it had been made of paper. Jack and Arthur uttered a
cry, and involuntarily clung for life to the thwarts. Over and over they
were whirled. Confused, giddy, scarce knowing what had happened, they
clung on. It was a sort of nightmare, and how long it lasted they knew
not. Presently there was a terrific crash, and they knew no more.

C