“There is only one thing more, sir,” and the captain shouted: 

“All hands get the boats on deck, and see that they are lashed firmly.

“Will you see to getting in the davits out of the sockets, Purvis, and getting them below?

“I ought to have done that before,” he went on, apologetically, “but I did not think of it.  However, with such a strong crew it won’t take five minutes, and we have got that and something to spare, I think.”

“You have got the bowsprit reefed, Hawkins?”

“Yes, sir; full reefed.”

“There is only one thing more that I can suggest.  I fancy that these tornadoes begin with heavy lightning.  Get those wire topmast stays, and twist them tightly round the shrouds and lash them there, leaving the ends to drop a fathom or two in the water.  In that way I don’t think that we need be afraid of the lightning.  If it strikes us it will run down the wire shrouds, and then straight into the water.”

In five minutes all was in readiness; the boats securely lashed on deck, the davits down below, and the lightning protectors tied tightly to the wire shrouds.

“Now, captain, I think we have done all that we can do.  What are you doing now?”

“I am running a life line right round her, sir.  It may save more than one life if the seas make a sweep of her.”

“You are right, captain.  These eighteen-inch bulwarks are no great protection.”

Four sailors speedily lashed a three-inch rope four feet above the deck, from the forestay round the shrouds and aft to the mizzen, hove as tight as they could get it and then fastened.  While this was being done one of the mates cut up a piece of two-inch rope into several foot lengths, and gave one to each of the men and officers, including Frank and George Lechmere.

“If you tie the middle of that round your chest under the arms, you will have the two ends ready to lash yourself to windward when it gets bad.  A couple of twists round anything will keep you safe, however much water may come over her.”

“Do you mean to stay on deck, sir?” the skipper asked.  “You won’t be able to do any good, and the fewer hands there are on deck the less there will be to be anxious about.  I shall only keep four hands forward after the first burst is over, and they will be lashed to the shrouds.  Purvis will be there with them.  Perry and Andrews will take the helm, and I shall stay with them.

“We have battened the fore hatch down.  One of the men will be in the after cabin, and if I want to hoist the trysail or make any change I shall give three knocks, and that will be a signal for them to send half a dozen hands up.  They will come through the saloon and up the companion.  We shan’t be able to open the fore hatch.”

“Very well, skipper.  I will go down when the hands do.  We are going to have it soon.”

It was now indeed so dark that he could scarcely see the face of the man he was speaking to.