Then the slack of the rope was drawn in by hand, and the men were ordered to lay hold of the instrument of death, and to stretch it along the deck.
"Stand by, my lads, to make a swift run and a strong jerk, at your first pull," said Winchester, in a low voice, as he passed down the line.
"Rapidity is mercy, at such a moment." "Good God!" muttered Cuffe, "can the man die in this manner, without a prayer; without even a glance toward heaven, as if asking for mercy ?" "He is an unbeliever, I hear, sir," returned Griffin, "We have offered him all the religious consolation we could; but he seems to wish for none." "Hail the topgallant yards once more, Mr.Winchester," said Cuffe, huskily.
"Foretopgallant yard, there!" "Sir ?" "Any signs of the boat--look well into the bay of Naples--we are opening Campanella now sufficiently to give you a good look up toward the head." A pause of a minute succeeded.

Then the lookout aloft shook his head in the negative, as if unwilling to speak.

Winchester glanced at Cuffe, who turned anxiously, mounted a gun, and strained his eyes in a gaze to the northward.
"All ready, sir," said the first lieutenant, when another minute elapsed.
Cuffe was in the act of raising his hand, which would have been the signal of death, when the dull, heavy report of a distant gun came booming down from the direction of the town of Naples.
"Stand fast!" shouted Cuffe, fearful the men might get the start of-him.
"Make your mates take their calls from their mouths, sir.

Two more guns, Winchester, and I am the happiest man in Nelson's fleet!" A second gun _did_ come, just as these words were uttered: then followed a breathless pause of half a minute, when a third smothered but unequivocal report succeeded.
"It must be a salute, sir," Griffin uttered, inquiringly..
"The interval is too long.

Listen! I hope to _God_ we have had the last!" Every ear in the ship listened intently, Cuffe holding his watch in his hand.