48 THE SHIPWRECK,

a frightful rapidity. The captain ordered the mainmast to
be cut away—then the foremast, in order to right the ship
if possible. The mainmast fell, and carried off with it the
mizenmast and the bowsprit. The vessel righted, but
with great violence ; and there was such confusion that
the pumps became almost useless. Every thing was
knocked about, broken or injured.

Ten minutes after the masts fell, the tiller of the helm
broke, and before the sailors could repair it, the helm itself
floated away. Every moment their situation was becom-
ing more critical ; the water was gaining upon them fast.
Their provisions, liquors, wood, coal, were all either swept
overboard or spoiled by the salt water. They managed
however to save a few bottles of wine and brandy, a few
barrels of biscuit and beef, and two or three casks of fresh
water; which were barely enough to save the crew from
immediate starvation.

All the men that the pumps could spare were kept busy
the whole night in patching up a few sails; false masts
were got ready ; and as the following day was somewhat
calm, they determined to make the best of it. The crew
were divided into companies: some to raise the masts and
sails; some to ease the vessel by throwing overboard a
part of her great guns; and others to prepare a new helm,