By this time the two officers were hurrying aft.

Ere meeting them midway, Israel, quick as lightning, cast off the two principal halyards, thus letting the large sails all in a tumble of canvass to the deck.

Next moment one of the officers was at the helm, to prevent the cutter from capsizing by being without a steersman in such an emergency.

The other officer and Israel interlocked.

The battle was in the midst of the chaos of blowing canvass.