Seconded by the common men, he was employed in
cutting the canvas from the yards. Sail after sail fell upon the deck,
and, in an incredibly short space of time, the whole of the fore-mast was
naked to its spars and rigging.
In the mean time, Ludlow, assisted by the Alderman and Francois, had not
been idle below. Passing forward between the empty ridge-ropes, lanyard
after lanyard parted under the blows of their little boarding-axes. The
mast now depended on the strength of the wood and the support of a single
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.
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