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Updated: June 8, 2025
Captain Martin inquired whether any of his crew were sufficiently good swimmers to reach the wreck. Rayner longed to say that he would try, but he had never swum in a heavy sea, and felt that it would be madness to make the attempt. "I'll try it, sir," cried Ben Twinch, the boatswain's mate, one of the most powerful men in the ship. "I'd like, howsomdever, to have a line round my waist.
In the meantime, Rayner, seeing the importance of discovering the seat of the fire, resolved at every risk to make the attempt. Without telling any of the officers of his intention, he called on Ben Twinch and Jack and Tom, whom he met on his way, to accompany him, and to bring a long rope with him. On reaching the hatchway he fastened the end round his waist.
Rayner was on the forecastle near Ben Twinch, both endeavouring to pierce the veil which surrounded the supposed privateer. "We may at any moment run through this mist, and we shall then, I hope, see the chase again," observed Ben. "It won't do for a moment to shut our eyes, for maybe we shall find her much closer than before."
"I say, Jack, do you think if we come up with those two Frenchmen we are chasing they'll turn round and fight us?" asked Tom, who thought it much pleasanter to capture unarmed merchant vessels than to have to fight an enemy which sent round shots and bullets on board in return. "No doubt about that, youngster," answered Ben Twinch, the boatswain's mate, who overheard Tom's remark.
Rayner had the satisfaction of seeing Jack rated as an A.B. Several of the Thisbe's crew had joined the Lily, and besides them Ben Twinch, who, owing to Captain Martin's recommendation, had been raised to the rank of warrant officer, was appointed to her as boatswain.
The difficulty of accomplishing this task was, however, very great, and the second lieutenant and gunner, with several of the men, were drawn up, apparently lifeless, after making the attempt. Lieutenant Saltwell now again descended to the after cockpit, where he found one man alone still persevering in the hazardous duty Ben Twinch, boatswain's mate.
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