130 MAN OVERBOARD. 



blustering weather for a few days previous, and a 

 heavy swell was on at the time of the catastrophe. 

 No one saw him fall ; but one of the crew, imagining, 

 as he thought, that he heard a gurgling sound in the 

 water, looked over the bow, and saw at a glance what 

 had happened. The alarm being instantly given, 

 the cry of "Man overboard," resounded throughout 

 the ship ; and, without waiting to dress, the whole 

 crew, fore and aft, made their appearance on deck. 

 In a moment the wheel was put hard down, and the 

 mainyard hauled aback. The first oificer sprang into 

 the larboard boat, in his nightdress, and cut the gripes ; 

 the tackles were let go by the run, and the moment 

 she touched the water she was manned by a crew, 

 who, with strong arms and brave hearts, lustily 

 pulled for their hapless companion. Fortunately^ he 

 was a strong swimmer, and, although the weather 

 was cold and he enveloped in the heaviest of sea 

 clothing, with his coat on, also, he found but little 

 difficulty in keeping afloat. In a short time the 

 fourth mate, who was in the head of the boat, gi-aspcd 

 him and hauled him aboard. The word was instantly 

 given that he was saved. No cheers followed this 

 agreeable announcement; but a deep-drawn sigh 

 of satisfaction expressed the relief such intelligence 

 afibrded. In eight minutes from the time the order 

 was given to loose the sail, we had him safe and snug 

 aboard the ship. lie was so weak as to be unable to 

 clamber from the boat up the side. On stepping 

 from the rail to the deck, he was welcomed as one 

 restored from the dead, and, after many assurances 

 that he was all right, except a slight weakness, the 

 excitement began to subside. None but those who 



