Meanwhile several seamen were shouting as they strained at the braces.
“Cut! cut all! Lower away! lower away!” impatiently cried the sailors, who already had leaped into the boats.
“Heave the ship to, and hold fast every thing,” cried the captain, apparently just springing to the deck. “One boat’s enough. Steward; show a light there from the mizzen-top. Boat ahoy!—Have you got that man?”
No reply. The voice came out of a cloud; the ship dimly showing like a ghost. We had desisted from rowing, and hand over hand were now hauling in upon the rope attached to the breaker, which we soon lifted into the boat, instantly resuming our oars.
“Pull! pull, men! and save him!” again shouted the captain.
“Ay, ay, sir,” answered Jarl instinctively, “pulling as hard as ever we can, sir.”
And pull we did, till nothing could be heard from the ship but a confused tumult; and, ever and anon, the hoarse shout of the captain, too distant to be understood.
We now set our sail to a light air; and right into the darkness, and dead to leeward, we rowed and sailed till morning dawned.
CHAPTER IX.
The Watery World Is All Before Them
At sea in an open boat, and a thousand miles from land!