They succeeded in fastening the
cable to ring bolts in the deck, until they got sufficient of it
clear to go round the capstan, which they had no sooner effected,
than the ring bolts were fairly drawn out of the deck by the strain
on the cable.
About eight in the evening, a terrific wave, called by sailors a
sea, struck the vessel with tremendous force, and broke the chain
cable. "The cable is gone," shouted a voice, and the next instant the
captain cried out in a firm, collected tone, "Cut away the kedge,"
which was promptly obeyed, and the vessel was again stopped from
drifting among the breakers. The man who had been stationed to look
out on the cable, came running aft on deck, as soon as he had given
notice of the danger, calling out that all was over. "Good God!" was
the passionate exclamation of every one, and a slight confusion
ensued. But the captain was prepared for the worst, he gave his
orders with firmness, and behaved with promptness and intrepidity.
"We were riding by the kedge, a small anchor, which, however, was the
only one left us, and on which the safety of the brig now depended.
The breakers were close under our stern, and this was not expected to
hold ten minutes; it was a forlorn hope, every eye was fixed on the
raging surf, and our hearts thrilled with agitation, expecting every
moment that the vessel would be dashed in pieces.
