By the delay of that moment the lives of all of us were fearfully imperilled.  The man sprang with the rescued boy on board; but scarcely had his feet touched the boat when the sea which had just before been observed surrounded her and carried her right up high above the deck of the wreck.  The crew forward were hauling away with all their might, although the bow of the boat was pointed downwards, and must, I thought, be dragged under water.  Every instant I expected to hear the fatal crash.  Had our mizenmast been caught in any of the rigging, our destruction would have been certain; but ere the boat actually struck the wreck she was hauled off; and now the crew, labouring with all their strength, drew her up to her anchor.  To weigh the anchor with the sea that was running was impossible.  Should the boat drift down on the wreck before sail could be made she must be dashed to pieces.