the boy ordered them to throw the first cord of birch - wood overboard , billet by billet , one at a time and never two , and he did not let them touch the other two cords . now they obeyed him to the letter , and did not laugh ; but cast out the birch - wood billet by billet . when the last billet fell they heard a groaning , as though some one were wrestling with death , and then the squall had passed . " heaven be praised ! " said the crew -- and the captain added : " i am going to let the company know that you saved ship and cargo . "
a groaning .
what was heard after the last billet fell ?
what was heard after the last billet fell ?