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Updated: May 11, 2025
As for the transports, the largest of the three had lost her foretopmast, and had bore up under her foresail; another was also scudding under a close-reefed fore-topsail; but the third or head-quarter ship was still lying to windward, under her storm staysails. None of the merchant vessels were to be seen, having been compelled to bear up in the night, and to run before it under bare poles.
The white-crested waves gleamed in the sun, as we plowed bravely through them, and the wind steadily decreased in violence. I had the crew shake out reefs in jib and foresail, and was surprised myself at the sailing qualities of the bark.
As for getting off, when we had enough of it, and had washed our decks down pretty well, we called all hands, for, dye see, the watch below was in their hammocks, all the same as if they were in one of your best bedrooms; and so we watched for a smooth time, clapt her helm hard a weather, let fall the foresail, and got the tack aboard; and so, when we got her afore it, I ask you, Mistress Prettybones, if she didnt walk? didnt she?
About this time we crossed into frequent thunders. One evening just at dark we made out a heavy black squall. Not knowing exactly what weight lay behind it, I called up all hands. We ducked the staysail and foresail, lowered the peak of the mainsail, and waited to feel of it a rough and ready seamanship often used in these little California windjammers.
Run up the jib and fore-staysail. Set the foresail and mainsail." These orders followed in rapid succession. The men did not require to be told to be smart about the work. Round came the schooner's head. Her sails filled, and, under complete command, she stood towards the bar. A clear piece of water showed the only passage she could take with safety.
When I went on deck we were rounding the southern point of Oland, through long belts of floating ice. The low chalk cliffs were covered with snow, and looked bleak and desolate enough. The wind now came out of the west, enabling us to carry the foresail, so that we made eight or nine knots, in spite of our overloaded condition.
She carries the wind with her, too; for jist as we bore up north awhile ago, astern the chase, I'm blessed if the breeze didn't shift round likewise to the south'ard, keepin' astern of us as before!" "Where is the chase?" I asked, not being able to see forwards on account of the swelling foresail and other intervening objects. "I suppose she's right ahead, eh?" "No, sir.
At last an answer was given from the canoe. What it was I could not tell. It seemed to satisfy them. To my great joy they once more let draw their foresail, and stood away from us. This was not the last time we were to see that ill-omened craft. As soon as she had got to some distance off, my friends came out of their hiding-place, and I disengaged myself from the folds of the mat.
Grief ordered the foresail put on, retaining the reefs, and the Uncle Toby mended her pace in the rising breeze. The wind quickly grew to man's size, but did not stop there. It merely blew hard, and harder, and kept on blowing harder, advertising each increase by lulls followed by fierce, freshening gusts.
It is lucky we had not got down among the islands before we caught it. I would not give much for our chances if we had been there, for these gales gradually wear themselves out as they get farther from the islands." In six hours the weather had so far moderated that they were able to hoist the reefed foresail, and two hours later the trysail was set with all the reefs in.
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