And instantly we heard a re-port like two or three muskets discharged together; the vast sail was rent up and clown like the Vail of the Temple.

This saved the main-mast; for the yard was now clewed down with comparative ease, and the top-men laid out to stow the shattered canvas.

Soon, the two remaining top-sails were also clewed down and close reefed.
Above all the roar of the tempest and the shouts of the crew, was heard the dismal tolling of the ship's bell--almost as large as that of a village church--which the violent rolling of the ship was occasioning.
Imagination cannot conceive the horror of such a sound in a night-tempest at sea.
"Stop that ghost!" roared Mad Jack; "away, one of you, and wrench off the clapper!" But no sooner was this ghost gagged, than a still more appalling sound was heard, the rolling to and fro of the heavy shot, which, on the gun-deck, had broken loose from the gun-racks, and converted that part of the ship into an immense bowling-alley.

Some hands were sent down to secure them; but it was as much as their lives were worth.

Several were maimed; and the midshipmen who were ordered to see the duty performed reported it impossible, until the storm abated.
The most terrific job of all was to furl the main-sail, which, at the commencement of the squalls, had been clewed up, coaxed and quieted as much as possible with the bunt-lines and slab-lines.