236 ADVENTURES IN THE SOUTH SEAS 
storm, and we all thought and felt that the end had come. 
There was no crying nor confusion then, but just a quiet, 
nerve-strung waiting for the ship’s final plunge, and the in- 
stinctive struggle for life which would follow. Many a fer- 
vent prayer ascended to heaven, and many a good-by to 
our loved ones far away was felt and muttered during these 
fearful moments. 
“But there was a chance yet; the cry was raised for axes 
to cut away the masts, and every one felt that there was no 
time to be lost. Fortunately Mr. Lancaster had ax and 
tomahawk all sharpened and ready to hand for any emer- 
gency. From my position in the companion I passed up 
the ax, and the steward jumped up on deck with the tom- 
ahawk, and got half drowned in trying to pass it to the 
second mate. 
“And now you could hear Captain Mansell, almost hoarse 
from excitement and shouting, calling out: ‘Cut away! cut 
away! cut away for your lives!’ Then again: ‘Steward! 
Mr. Brown! anybody! get the new tomahawks out of the 
store, tomahawks! tomahawks! Get the tomahawks!’ The 
steward was on deck, but the cook and I tried to find the 
parcel in the store. It was no easy thing holding on with 
one hand and trying to get a light with damp matches with 
the other, while keeping the storeroom door open with one 
foot, so as to be able to strike out for the deck if she filled, 
as we were expecting her to go from under us at any min- 
ute, for she was then on her broadside. 
“Just at the last moment the lanyards were cut through, 
and the mainmast, unsupported by the stays and shrouds, 
went crashing over the side, and soon afterward the fore- 
mast also succumbed and followed. Thus relieved, the ship 
righted somewhat, but there was now a new danger, that 
of the wreckage alongside, as some of the masts and spars 
might knock a hole in the ship’s bottom; and there was a 
fresh outcry for tomahawks. Fortunately we had got the 
parcel then, and the cook and I tore it open and passed them 
