“Shall I give the order, sir?” inquired the first mate.
“You may,” replied the captain.
Just as the mate turned to obey, a shriek was heard high above the whistling of the fierce wind.
“Did you hear that?” said the captain anxiously.
“I did,” replied the mate. “I fear—I trust—”
The remainder of the sentence was either suppressed, or the howling of the wind prevented its being heard.
Just then a flash of lightning lit up the scene, and a terrific crash of thunder seemed to rend the sky. The flash was momentary, but it served to reveal the men on the yards distinctly. They had succeeded in close-reefing the topsails, and were hurrying down the rigging.
The mate came close to the captain’s side and said, “Did you see, sir, the way them men on the mainyard were scramblin’ down?”
The captain had not time to reply ere a shout, “Man overboard!” was heard faintly in the midst of the storm, and in another instant some of the men rushed aft with frantic haste, shouting that one of their number had been blown off the yard into the sea.
“Down your helm,” roared the captain; “stand-by to lower away the boats.”