"What is that splash?"
It was the larboard--bow long eighteen--pound gun hove overboard, and
watching the roll, the whole broadside, one after another, was cast into
the sea. The clang of the chain--pumps increased, the water rushed in at
one side of the main--deck, and out at the other, in absolute cascades from
the ports. At this moment the whole fleet of boats were alongside, keeping
way with the ship, in the light breeze. Her main--topsail was hove aback,
while the captain's voice resounded through the ship.
"Now, men--all hands--bags and hammocks--starboard watch, the starboard
side--larboard watch, the larboard side--no rushing now--she will swim this
hour to come."
The bags, and hammocks, and officers' kits, were handed into the boats; the
men were told off over the side, as quietly by watches as if at muster, the
officers last. At length the first lieutenant came down. By this time she
was settling perceptibly in the water; but the old captain still stood on
the gangway, holding by the iron stanchion, where, taking off his hat, he
remained uncovered for a moment, with the tears standing in his eyes. He
then replaced it, descended, and took his place in the ship's launch--the
last man to leave the ship; and there was little time to spare, for we had
scarcely shoved off a few yards, to clear the spars of the wreck, when she
sended forward, heavily and sickly, on the long swell.--She never rose to
the opposite heave of the sea again, but gradually sank by the head.
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