Dropping his ax, he climbed up to windward.

As he clutched the rail, the wounded mast snapped in twain with a report like a cannon.

A slight smoke was perceptible where it broke.

The remaining lanyards parted.

From the violent strain upon them, the two shrouds flew madly into the air, and one of the great blocks at their ends, striking Annatoo upon the forehead, she let go her hold upon a stanchion, and sliding across the aslant deck, was swallowed up in the whirlpool under our lea.