- A
Cloud Rises To Windward, Looking A Little Black; The Sky-Sails Are
Brailed Down; The Captain Puts His Head Out Of The Companion-Way,
Looks At The Cloud, Comes Up, And Begins To Walk The Deck.
- The
cloud spreads and comes on; - the tub of yarns, the sail, and other
matters, are thrown below, and the sky-light and booby-hatch put
on, and the slide drawn over the forecastle.
- "Stand by the royal
halyards;" - the man at the wheel keeps a good weather helm, so as
not to be taken aback. The squall strikes her. If it is light,
the royal yards are clewed down, and the ship keeps on her way;
but if the squall takes strong hold, the royals are clewed up,
fore and aft; light hands lay aloft and furl them; top-gallant
yards clewed down, flying-jib hauled down, and the ship kept off
before it, - the man at the helm laying out his strength to heave
the wheel up to windward. At the same time a drenching rain,
which soaks one through in an instant. Yet no one puts on a
jacket or cap; for if it is only warm, a sailor does not mind
a ducking; and the sun will soon be out again. As soon as the
force of the squall has passed, though to a common eye the ship
would seem to be in the midst of it, - "Keep her up to her course,
again!" - "Keep her up, sir," (answer); - "Hoist away the top-gallant
yards!" - "Run up the flying jib!" - "Lay aloft, you boys, and loose
the royals!" - and all sail is on her again before she is fairly
out of the squall; and she is going on in her course.
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