"Let go life-buoy.

"Life-boat's crew away.

"Hands shorten sail.

"Mainsel up.

"Main topsel to mast."

These orders were executed with admirable swiftness. Meantime there was
a mighty rush of feet throughout the frigate, every hatchway was crammed
with men eager to force their way on deck.

In five seconds the middy of the watch and half her crew were in the lee
cutter, fitted with Clifford's apparatus.

"Lower away!" cried the excited officer; "the others will come down by
the pendants."

The man stationed, sitting on the bottom boards, eased away roundly,
when suddenly there was a hitch--the boat would go no farther.

"Lower away there in the cutter! Why don't you lower?" screamed the
captain, who had come over to leeward expecting to see the boat in the
water.

"The rope has swollen, sir, and the pendants won't unreeve," cried the
middy in agony.