A light line was attached to it, and the sailors at once began to pass along.
"Shall we turn back now, Master Walter ?" "We will keep near the wreck for a few minutes longer, Larry.

She can't hold together long, and maybe we can pick somebody up." The vessel was indeed breaking up fast.

Her stern was burst in, and the waves, as they poured in at the opening, smashed up the deck.

Many of the crew had been washed overboard, and had instantly disappeared.
As the boat approached the wreck, an officer, who had climbed the shrouds, shouted out: "Will your boat hold another ?" "Yes," Walter shouted back.

"She will hold two more." "I will try and swim to you," the officer said.
He threw off the long cloak, in which he was wrapped, and unbuckled his sword and let it drop, unbuttoned and took off his military coat, and, with some difficulty, got rid of his high boots.
"Can you come a bit nearer ?" he shouted.
"We daren't," Walter said.