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Updated: June 1, 2025
Gholson, that you never turned a hand nor an eye to save him?" "Great Scott! wha'd Gholson say?" "Gholson, s'e, 'I done as I done, sir, from my highest sense o' duty. This ain't Lieutenant Helm's own little private war, Lieutenant Quinn, nor mine, nor yours." "Jo'! that to Quinn! wha'd Quinn answer?"
Just as he spoke, the French ship tacked, evidently to avoid the shoal, and while she was in stays, we poured in another heavy raking fire which well-nigh crippled her. Meantime the other French ships had gone about. "Helm's a-lee!" I heard shouted out, but as our sails and rigging were by this time terribly cut about, it seemed as if we should be unable to get the ship round.
"Read what?" "This novel Manon Lescaut." "Never read a novel in my life. Never expect to." Hamilton laughed freely at Helm's expense, then turned to Jean and gave him back the book. It would have been quite military, had he taken the precaution to examine between the pages for something hidden there, but he did not.
No one moved no one spoke the howling of the gale and the dashing of the waters were the only sounds heard. Suddenly all were aroused into activity by the deep full tones of the captain's voice. "About ship!" "Down with the helm!" "Helm's a-lee!" "Maintopsail haul!" "Haul-of-all!" were the orders given in slow succession.
We will tack the ship, if you please, Mr Bryce." "Ay, ay, sir. Hands 'bout ship!" responded the chief-mate; and in a minute or two the men were at their stations. "All ready, sir!" reported Mr Bryce Captain Blyth walked aft to the mizen-rigging, signed to the helmsman, and gave the word: "Helm's a-lee!"
Take steady aim, lads, and do not throw away a single shot if you can help it. Ha! he is going to rake us! Down with your helm, Woodford. Helm's a-lee! Ease up your jib-sheets, forward, there! Round in upon the main-sheet, smartly, men. Let draw the fore-sheet; braces let go and haul!"
The wind increasing, the vessel heeled over before it, but it would not do to shorten sail. The men were at their stations. "We'll go about, Platt, and see if she'll do better on the other tack," said Harry. "Helm's a lee!" About she came, but scarcely had she gathered way when a more furious blast than before laid her over. I looked aloft the top masts were bending like willow wands.
"Helm's hard up," said the mate, "she's going to try a broadside." And in a few seconds there was a thunderous roar above, and a shock that made the vessel stagger.
When the dark night came on, we started together, and traveled all night, and just as the day dawned we arrived at Manchester, where we stopped a short time with one Thomas Watkins. But I was not to be let go so easily. I had been missed at Capt. Helm's, and several men started in immediate pursuit.
"Hands 'bout ship!" he roared out the instant the pilot had spoken, the mate and boatswain repeating as before the order after him in turn, and the man at the wheel putting down the helm instanter. "Helm's a lee!" shouted the skipper, the head sheets being let go as he spoke, and the jib flattened on the vessel going into stays.
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