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Matters were in this satisfactory state, the work having reached such a stage of advancement that the rigging of the Petrel as they had decided to name the little cutter had already been begun, and some talk was being indulged in of hopes that the launch might be accomplished within the following week, when, on a bright Sunday afternoon, Gaunt left Fay Island for the main, taking the two children with him, the object of the little party being to gather a few of the strangely-shaped and exceedingly beautiful shells to be found on the sea-beach, as mementoes of their long sojourn on the island.
Some five or six of the first line, that we afterwards overhauled had run aground for safety in L'Ancresse Bay; and the remnant, about twenty ships in all, drifted with shattered and broken masts and rigging on to the rocks, on which some lay foundered already. So it was with a cheery voice I sang out to Samson d'Anville "Lo! the way lies open to the Vale."
We painted and polished, and scrubbed and used up every particle of rope-yarn, and turned in all the rigging afresh before Senor Don Longwhiskerandos announced that he was ready to take his departure.
As they talked the wind rose, and the play of its solemn music in the rigging of the yacht and in the deep bass of the billows was, as Harry said, "like a chant of High Mass. I heard one for the sailors leaving Hull last Christmas night," he said, "and I shall never forget it." "But you are a Methodist, sir?" "Oh, that does not hinder!
Pushed back by them, he drew his sword, leaped into the car or boat, wounded Blanchard, cut the rigging, and broke the oars or wings. The aeronaut was consequently compelled to have his machine partly re-fitted in great haste, and in the course of a few hours he made the ascent alone in the usual way.
But even as we waited with set teeth, our bows ground into the enemy's weather quarter-gallery. For the Richard's rigging was much cut away, and she was crank at best. So we backed and filled once more, passing the Englishman close aboard, himself being aback at the time. Several of his shot crushed through the bulwarks in front of me, shattering a nine-pounder and killing half of its crew.
The men, too, seemed worn-out, which could not be wondered at, as no sooner had the watch whose turn it was to be relieved, got below than they were roused up again at the call of "All hands" when, of course, they had to tumble on deck again, without a moment's time for the rest and repose they needed after the exposure they were subjected to in battling up and down the rigging in the tempest of wind and rain and hail that had lasted through the livelong night.
As we swung up into the mizzen rigging, Newman shouted words in my ear that I knew the wind carried to the captain. "The devil is abroad, Jack, and there is hell to pay!" And when we had gained the yardarm, he added, "It is coming, Jack; one hand for yourself and one for the ship!" But he did not act upon the advice himself.
And first from the cruise of 1859 in the Greek Islands and to Alexandria, take a few traits, incidents, and pictures. "May 10, 1859. "We had a fair wind, and we did very well, seeing a little bit of Cerigo or Cythera, and lots of turtle-doves wandering about over the sea and perching, tired and timid, in the rigging of our little craft.
When the return merchandise is ready on the beach, the emperor having notified what he chooses for the ensuing year, the Japanese themselves again load the vessel, replace her rigging, and restore her arms, papers, and effects, of which they took possession on her arrival. There is no instance of anything having been lost; indeed, the Dutch speak of the Japanese as a most honest people.
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