It was scarcely a moment later that there sounded a gun from the
ship.

"Good!" cried Captain Needam. "The shot went true!"

"That was the ship signalling that they had the line," explained
Bailey, shouting the words in Larry's ear.

From the shore to the ship there now stretched out a long thin rope.
Larry had no time to wonder what would happen next.

"Bend on the cable!" cried the captain, and the men quickly attached
a thick rope to the line which the cannon-shot had carried aboard
the _Olivia_. This soon began to pay out, as it was hauled in by
those on the wrecked vessel. In a short time the heavy cable was all
out, and securely fastened to the ship, high enough up so as to
clear the rail. Directions how to do this were printed on a board
which was hauled in with the rope, and, lest those on a doomed ship
might not understand English, the instructions were given in
several languages.

"They have it fast! Rig up the shears!" cried the captain.

Once more his men were busy. They set up on the sand two stout
wooden pieces, exactly like, a pair of enormous shears. The longer
parts, corresponding to the blades, were nearest the ground, while
what answered for the handles were several feet in the air, opened
in "V" shape.

Through this "V" the heavy cable was passed, the one end being fast