"If we can knock her mast out of her, we are saved.

If not, they will have us yet." He had scarcely spoken when there was a crash.

A shot from the cutter had struck the mizzen mast, a few feet above the deck, and the mast and sail fell over to leeward.

There was a cry of rage and dismay.
"Luck's against us," the skipper said bitterly.

"Down with the sail, lads.