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Updated: May 11, 2025
Yet he wondered why he could not reach out and grasp the backstay. It seemed as though invisible fetters bound every muscle and joint, though not completely.
"Here it comes, sharp and strong," he sang out; "down down, quick, all of you!" and, seizing the backstay, he glided like lightning on deck. Gerald followed his example. As soon as the mate reached the deck, he sprang to the deserted helm and gave another look in the direction from which he expected the wind to come.
Several years ago Bob Wessington was giving one of his famous booze parties on board his yacht 'The Water-Wain, and this chap was in on it somehow. When everybody was tanked up, they got to doing stunts and he bet a thousand with Wessington he could swarm up the backstay to the masthead. Two others wished in for a thousand apiece, and he cleaned up the lot.
I found myself on deck, gripping a backstay and looking giddily down and then up at the dinghy, as it bobbed like a cork in the trough of the sea alongside, while Davies settled the sculls and rowlocks. 'Jump! he shouted, and before I could gather my wits and clutch the sides we were adrift in the night, reeling from hollow to hollow of the steep curling waves.
We found her on her beam-ends." "Indeed, Captain Kendall, you have had your hands full," replied Mr. Lowington, pleased with the gallant conduct of his young friend. "The captain of the galiot, he has a name as long as the main royal-mast backstay, and I can't remember it, the captain is on board of the Josephine, and wishes to see you very much. I referred the whole matter to you, sir."
"A good eight miles, sir, I should say," answered I. "Thank you, Mr Courtenay; you may come down, sir," returned the skipper, which I took to be a hint that he wanted me. I accordingly slung the glass over my shoulder, swung myself off the yard on to the backstay, and so descended to the deck.
Obeying an irresistible impulse to take care of "number one," I slid down the topmast cross-trees, caught hold of the weather top-gallant backstay, and came on deck much faster than I went aloft! My feet had hardly touched the deck when a gust struck the brig with a fury which I have seldom seen surpassed. It rushed upon us like an avalanche on a hamlet in an Alpine valley.
I sprang on to the rail, believing I could perceive a dark mass like a deeper dye upon the blackness that way upon the water, and to steady myself caught hold of the mizzen loyal backstay, swinging out to my arm's length and peering with all my might. My excitement was great, and the consternation that posessed the ship's crew was upon me.
In the bows a youth was making the night hideous through the agency of a banjo and a sham negro melody. Amidships, Lord Earlscourt and two other men were playing, by the light of a lantern slung from the backstay, a game called poker; Lord Earlscourt, at every fresh deal, trying to make the rest understand how greatly the worry of being held responsible, as the patron of the living of St.
"But turn to, sir, turn to," added the mate; "here! aloft there, and free that pennant; it's foul of the backstay jump!" The captain coming on board soon after, looked very benevolently at Harry; but, as usual, pretended not to take the slightest notice of myself. We were all now very busy in getting things ready for sea.
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