Quotation from: The Chessmen of Mars

Written by: Edgar Rice Burroughs

"All is ready."

"Then cut away!"

Word was passed across the deck and over the side to the
Heliumetic warriors below that at the third gun they were to cut
away. Twelve keen swords must strike simultaneously and with
equal power, and each must sever completely and instantly three
strands of heavy cable that no loose end fouling a block bring
immediate disaster upon the Vanator.