In a very few minutes all except Curtis and old O'Ready had left the "Chancellor." Curtis remained standing on the main-top, deeming it not only his duty, but his right, to be the last to leave the vessel he had loved so well, and the loss of which he so much deplored.
"Now then, old fellow off of this!" cried the captain to the old Irishman, who did not move.
"And is it quite sure ye are that she's sinkin ?" he said.
"Ay, ay! sure enough, my man; and you'd better look sharp." "Faith, then, and I think I will;" and not a moment too soon (for the water was up to his waist) he jumped on to the raft.
Having cast one last, lingering look around him, Curtis then left the ship; the rope was cut and we went slowly adrift.
All eyes were fixed upon the spot where the "Chancellor" lay foundering.
The top of the mizzen was the first to disappear, then followed the main-top; and soon, of what had been a noble vessel, not a vestige was to be seen..