“I just couldn’t bear it!” she had exclaimed with a shudder.
The guards were burying in the sand a heavy anchor to which the main rope of the breeches buoy would be fastened. The other end would be made fast to the highest part of the ship, so that the person being pulled ashore in the carrier would be as far above the waves as possible. The three masts had been broken off, but the jagged stump of one stuck up, and could be seen when there came a momentary lull in the rain.
It was not very cold, though much of the heat of summer had been dissipated in the cool rain.
“If it was winter, how terrible it would be,” said Eline. “Sometimes I have seen lake steamers just a mass of ice.”
“Yes, there is something to be thankful for,” Cora agreed. “Oh, they are going to fire, I think.”
She pointed to where some of the men were setting the mortar, or small cannon, which is discharged to send a line to stranded ships. The mortar fires a long, round piece of iron, to which is fastened a light, but strong, line. When this falls aboard the vessel a stronger rope is hauled from shore by means of it.
“Yes, they’re going to shoot!” agreed Jack. “They must have trouble keeping their powder dry.”
Bess covered her ears with her hands and cried:
“Oh, if they’re going to fire I’m going to run!”
“Silly! It won’t make much noise!” exclaimed Norton. “They don’t use a heavy charge.”