“By no outward sign did he show what passed within.
“Immediately on reaching the deck, he had ordered a marine to hand him a musket.
“With this, stepping aft, and getting on the look-out block, he raised it to his shoulder, and took a deliberate aim at his infant son and Ned, at the same time hailing him without a trumpet, in a voice of thunder.
“‘Ned,’ cried he, ‘jump! jump overboard! or I’ll fire at you!’
“The gallant lad did not hear what was said, and seemed to hesitate!
“It was plain that he was tottering from intense weakness, for his arms were thrown out like one scarcely able to retain his balance.
“The old commodore raised his voice again, and, in a quicker and more emphatic tone, cried out,
“‘Jump! ’tis your only chance for life!’
“The words were scarcely out of his mouth before the gallant boy seemed to leave the truck and spring out into the air!
“A sound between a shriek and a groan burst from many lips.