Page:The crater; or, Vulcan's peak.djvu/53

O R, V U L C A N S P E A K . 47 float her. The thumps grew lighter and lighter, and the lead-line showed a considerable drift; so much so, indeed, as to require its being hauled in and cast anew every mi nute. Under all the circumstances, Mark expected each instant, to find himself in four fathoms water, and ne in tended to let go the anchor the moment he was assured ol that fact. In the mean time, he ordered the carpenter to sound the pumps. This was done, and the ship was re ported with only the customary quantity of water in th* well. As yet her bottom was not injured, materially a* least. While Mark stood with the lead-line in his hand, anx iously watching the drift of the vessel and the depth ot water, Hillson was employed in placing provisions in the launch. There was a small amount of specie in the cabin and this, too, was transferred to the launch ; everything of that sort being done without Mark s knowledge, and by the second-mate s orders. The former was on the forecastle, waiting the proper moment to anchor; while all of the after-part of the ship was at the mercy of the second-mate, and a gang of the people, whom that officer had gathered around him. At length Mark found, to his great delight, that there were four good fathoms of water under the ship s bows, though she still hung abaft. He ascertained this fact by means of Bob Betts, which true-hearted tar stood by him, with a lantern, by swinging which low enough, the marks were seen on the lead-line. Foot by foot the ship now surged ahead, the seas being so much reduced in size ai>d power, by the manner in which they had been broken to windward, as not to lift the vessel more than an inch or two at a time. After waiting patiently a quarter of an hour, Mark believed that the proper time had come, and he gave the order to let run. The seaman stationed at the stopper obeyed, and down went the anchor. It happened, oppor tunely enough, that the anchor was thus dropped, just as the keel cleared the bottom, and the cable being secured at a short range, after forging ahead far enough to tightrn the ratter, the vessel tended. In swinging to her anchor, a roller came down upon her, however ; one that had crossed the reef without breaking, and broke on board her. Mark