Of course the crew gave me the go-by.

That was to be expected.

All hands went over the side, and there I was, marooned on my own vessel.

It was Death's turn, and it's all in the family anyway." "But how did you lose the masts ?" I asked.
"Walk over and examine those lanyards," he said, pointing to where the mizzen-rigging should have been.
"They have been cut with a knife!" I exclaimed.
"Not quite," he laughed.

"It was a neater job.