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A man who should try to lie down and go to sleep in the heart of the sea or on the masthead of a ship would be a manifest fool, and would not keep life in him for long.

High overhead, the red cross, that for a thousand years "has braved the battle and the breeze," blew out strong from the peak, like a sheet of flickering white flame, or a thing instinct with life, struggling to tear away the ensign haulyards, and to escape high into the clouds; while, from the main royal masthead, the long white pennant streamed upwards into the azure heavens, like a ray of silver light.

So the little Speedy flew back over the way she had just come, displaying from her masthead as she went a string of gay bunting that read: "The enemy's ships are escaping." As the Speedy rounded the first headland those on board saw the great war-ship they were to intercept coming leisurely down the coast, not more than a mile away.

From the masthead of the American vessels rose tiny balls of bunting, and then were broken out, disclosing the broad folds of the stars and stripes. Cavite was hardly more than five miles ahead, and beyond, the city of Manila. The Reina Christina, flying the Spanish rear-admiral’s flag, lay off the arsenal. Astern of her was moored the Castilla, her port battery ready for action.

Lanterns hung at the masthead of the sloops to recall the brigades each night; for Captain Cleveland, a Boston trader anchored in the harbor, forewarned Baranof of the Indians' treacherous character, more dangerous now when demoralized by the rivalry of white traders, and in possession of the civilized man's weapons. Free distribution of liquor by unscrupulous sea-captains did not mend matters.

At 7 we Saw from the Masthead the Land of Sandy Cape bearing South-East 1/2 East, distance 12 or 13 Leagues. At 9, we discover'd from the Mast head land to the Westward, and soon after saw smooke upon it.

Such conditions, however, had not destroyed the vigor of those hardy seamen of the Constitution when, on the 29th of December and within sight of the Brazilian coast, the lookout at the masthead sang out to Captain Bainbridge that a heavy ship was coming up under easy canvas.

The ship arrivesCaptain’s attempt to form a bandSail againAttacked by rheumatic fever and invalided ashoreOrdered to join H.M.S. TonnantProceed to MediterraneanAt Oran: experiences ashore. The ship anchored at Cawsand Bay four days afterwards, when we joined her, leaving the prizes in charge of the agent. I found her with the yellow flag flying at the masthead.

But then, if no second squall is coming, the mate will cut the clewing short with a stentorian 'Masthead the yards again! on which the watch lay on to the halliards and haul Ahay! Aheigh! Aho oh! Up she goes! The labour is lightened, as hand labour always has been lightened, by singing to the rhythm of the work.

I was launched on the life for which I had longed, but strange, shadowy forms like the storm-fiends of sailors' lore, drunkenness, deceit and crime on whose presence I had not counted flitted about my ship's masthead. And there was not one guiding star, not one redeeming influence, except the utter freedom to be a man.