During the squall, Grimsby demanded James steer the ship alone to prove his “worth.” Leaning on Eli’s map and the crew’s undercurrent of dissent, James seized a moment. As lightning split the sky, he cut the rigging, sending a mast crashing down. The crew, fearing the ship’s collapse, rallied to his side. Grimsby, cornered and injured, snarled, “You’ll drown for this, you little wretch!” But James, gripping the wheel, roared, “Aye—but I’ll die free!”