The men who had been at the guns were all lying down; the men in the fighting-tops had leaned forward or backward, and their arms hung down helplessly.

Everywhere was desolation--in so far as life was concerned.
Even a little brown bear, which had been seated on the cannon which was being put into range position, had jumped or fallen on deck, and lay there stretched out--and still.

It was evident that some terrible shock had been given to the mighty war-vessel.

Without a doubt or a thought why I did so, I turned my eyes towards where _The Lady_ lay, port broadside now to the inside, in the harbour mouth.

I had the key now to the mystery of Rooke's proceedings with the great grey crab.
As I looked I saw just outside the harbour a thin line of cleaving water.
This became more marked each instant, till a steel disc with glass eyes that shone in the light of the sun rose above the water.