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The wind was usually from the westward, varying between North-West and South-West, and on one occasion during the night we had a sudden and very violent squall from the westward, which for a time was thought to be the beginning of a hurricane, but the gale moderated very gradually next day.
Sailors have the most acute penetration possible on these occasions; and if the captain be actuated by any wish except that of doing his duty uniformly and kindly, the Johnnies will see through it all, and either laugh at him or hate him. One day, after we had lost the north-east Trade wind, a furious squall, unperceived till it reached us, swept through the fleet.
Accordingly Jack, leaving the sorely battered fort, steamed away to take up his position in the line. The weather, which had long been threatening, came on much worse as the crews stood ready at their guns. A heavy squall blew across the gulf, and at the same instant a downfall of rain came on. Suddenly the whole of the batteries opened on the squadron; still the ships did not return the fire.
From May to October one enjoys agreeable summer days, bright and cool, with a predominant south-east trade-wind, that rises and falls with the sun and creates a fairly salubrious climate. From November to April the atmosphere is heavy and damp, and one squall follows another. Often there is no wind, or the wind changes quickly and comes in heavy gusts from the north-west.
"Half a rainbow to windward," observed the old sailor. "There will be a squall before long." "What do you mean?" asked Zorzi. "If you had seen the Signor Giovanni smile, as he went out, you would know what I mean," answered Pasquale.
Yet strange vicissitudes and changes are the portion of those who follow the sea; which may also be applied to other voyagers of space, the sailors of the air. One minute all seems fair, with the sun shining; another, and a white squall is dashing down upon the ship, to catch the crew unawares and perhaps smother them with its mighty foam-crested billows.
Harry and I looked out for her, but she was nowhere to be seen. "Perhaps the squall took her unawares and carried away her masts; if so, and she is an enemy, we may thank the wind for the service it has rendered us," observed the first mate. "There's little chance of that, I fear," said Captain Magor. "When it clears up again we shall see her all ataunto, or I am much mistaken."
As if the very elements sympathized with this man's sufferings, a low moan came sweeping over the sea. "Hist! Ralph," said Bill, opening his eves; "there's a squall coming, lad. Look alive, boy. Clew up the fore-sail. Drop the main-sail peak. Them squalls come quick sometimes." I had already started to my feet, and saw that a heavy squall was indeed bearing down on us.
Then down on us came the fierce squall with its utmost fury rain, hail, and wind united over heeled the stout ship as if she had been a mere cockleshell, till her gunwale was buried in the water. I thought she would never rise again, but I kept my eye on Captain Frankland, who seemed as cool and collected as if nothing unusual was happening.
"Worrying about the schooner. Hope Billy Edwards saw or heard or felt that squall coming," replied Forsythe, giving expression to the anxiety that all felt. "He's a good sailor man," said Ives, "and that's a staunch little schooner, by the way she handled herself." "Oh, it will be all right," said Carter confidently. "The wind's moderating now."
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