with the huge billows, but not making very rapid progress, though the gale
was in their favor. The eleven men floundering in the water where the wreck
had disappeared under them were provided with life-preservers, it was now
discovered, and their chances were somewhat less desperate than they were
at first taken to be. But the waves rudely knocked them about, and
sometimes upset them so as to require a struggle to regain their upright
position.

"The Blanche is close aboard of us, Captain Ringgold," said Mr. Gaskette.
"She is running at full speed for a position on our port hand."

"Very good," replied the commander. "That is the right thing for her to do,
if she don't come too near us."

"She is at a safe distance, sir, and her starboard quarter-boat is manned
and ready to drop into the water."

"Captain Sharp will do the right thing at the right time," replied the
commander, whose gaze was riveted upon the struggling party in the water.

"I trust we shall be able to save the whole of them."

"The chances are good for it," answered the second officer.

"How is the second cutter doing?" inquired Captain Ringgold.

"She is doing very well, sir, though she is some distance behind the first
cutter, for she got away from the ship later. Mr. Belgrave is pulling a
stroke as vigorous as the rest of the crew. The Blanche is coming about,
and she will have her starboard boat in the water in a few minutes more."