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Updated: June 28, 2025
Suddenly, with startling energy, he shouted out, "Wear ship! Up with the helm! Square away the after-yards!" The ship went on plunging into the heavy seas as she made a wide circuit, the yards being again braced up on the other tack. The Lilly, brought to the wind, once more stood back along the course on which she had just before been sailing. She was then hove to.
Now we opened a tremendous fire on them, every gun telling. Then the helm was put a-port, the after-yards braced up, and again we were after them. "Again and again we practised the same manoeuvre, never allowing the `Ca Ira' to get a shot at us with one of her broadside guns.
"Hark ye, Mr Ark, I've a mind to furnish the coxcomb a lesson in respect for his superiors and give him a row to whet his appetite. By the Lord, I will; and he may write home an account of this manoeuvre, too, in his next despatches. Fill away the after-yards, sir; fill away.
"Lay the after-yards square!" he said, in a voice which was heard by every man on deck, though his words were apparently spoken but little above his breath. The creaking of the blocks, as the spars came slowly and heavily round to the indicated position, contributed to the imposing character of the moment, sounding like notes of fearful preparation.
Then came the beat to quarters, and the more serious and fearful-looking preparations for certain combat. After these several arrangements had been completed, the crew at their guns, the sail-trimmers at the braces, and the officers in their several batteries, the after-yards were swung, and the ship once more put in motion.
Now we opened a tremendous fire on them, every gun telling. Then the helm was put a-port, the after-yards braced up, and again we were after them. "Again and again we practised the same manoeuvre, never allowing the `Ca Ira' to get a shot at us with one of her broadside guns.
As soon as we were near enough, the after-yards were shivered, the jib sheet to windward, and the helm put up.
Soon, the jib-sheets lashed the stays, and the men, more self-possessed, flew to the braces. "Main-sail haul!" was now heard, as the fresh breeze streamed fore and aft the deck; and directly the after-yards were whirled round. In a half-a-minute more, we were sailing away from the land on the other tack, with every sail distended.
Square away the after-yards." While these and other orders were given and executed, in order to take the pressure of the wind off the after part of the ship, and to make her head turn from it, I glanced in the direction towards which we were running.
The ship was accordingly hove-to with every formality, though going at the rate of seven miles an hour: the main yard squared, the head and after-yards braced up. A sail had been extended across the forecastle by way of curtain, and from behind this Neptune and his train, in full costume, shortly afterwards came forth.
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