It now blew a hurricane.

The spray flew over the ship in floods.

The gigantic masts seemed about to snap under the world-wide strain of the three entire top-sails.
"Clew down! clew down!" shouted Mad Jack, husky with excitement, and in a frenzy, beating his trumpet against one of the shrouds.

But, owing to the slant of the ship, the thing could not be done.

It was obvious that before many minutes something must go--either sails, rigging, or sticks; perhaps the hull itself, and all hands.
Presently a voice from the top exclaimed that there was a rent in the main-top-sail.