Page:The crater; or, Vulcan's peak.djvu/77

 OR, VULCAN S PEAK. 71 mind, determining to hold on, and let go the sheet-anchor where he was, should it become necessary ; but a lull tempted him to proceed. Bob shouted out that all was ready, and Mark lifted the axe with which he was armed, and struck a heavy blow on the cable. That settled the matter ; an entire strand was separated, and three or four more blows released the ship from her anchor. Mark now sprang to the jib-halliards, assisting Bob to hoist the sail. This was no sooner done than he went aft to the wheel, where he arrived in time to help the ship to fall off. The spanker was next got out as well as two men could do it in a hurry, and then Bob went forward to tend the jib- sheet, and to look out for the buoys. It was indispensable in such a navigation to make no mistake, and Mark enjoined the utmost vigilance on his friend. Twenty times did he hail to inquire if the buoys were to be seen, and at last he was gratified by an answer in the affirmative. &quot; Keep her away, Mr. Mark keep her away, you may, sir; we are well to windward of the channel. Ay, that ll do, Mr. Woolston that s your beauty, sir. Can t you get a sight of them b ys yourself, sir ?&quot; &quot; Not just yet, Bob, and so much the greater need that you should look out the sharper. Give the ship plenty of room, and I 11 let her run down for the passage, square for the channel.&quot; Bob now ran aft, telling the mate he had better go on the forecastle himself and conn the ship through the pas sage, which was a place he did not like. Mark was vexed that the change should be made just at that critical instant, but bounding forward, he was between the knight-heads in half a minute, looking out for the buoys. At first, he could not see them ; and then he most felt the imprudence of Bob s quitting his post in such a critical instant. In another minute, however, he found one ; and presently the other came in sight, fearfully close, as it now appeared to our young mariner, to its neighbour. The position of the ship, nevertheless, was sufficiently to windward, leaving plenty of room to keep off in. As soon as the ship was far enough ahead, Mark called out to Bob to put his helm liard up. This was done, and away the Rancocus went,