I was walking in
the lee gangway, and thought that I saw lightning on the lee bow. I
told the second mate, who came over and looked out for some time. It
was very black in the south-west, and in about ten minutes we saw a
distinct flash. The wind, which had been south-east, had now left
us, and it was dead calm. We sprang aloft immediately and furled the
royals and top-gallant-sails, and took in the flying jib, hauled up
the mainsail and trysail, squared the after yards, and awaited the
attack. A huge mist capped with black clouds came driving towards
us, extending over that quarter of the horizon, and covering the
stars, which shone brightly in the other part of the heavens. It
came upon us at once with a blast, and a shower of hail and rain,
which almost took our breath from us. The hardiest was obliged to turn
his back. We let the halyards run, and fortunately were not taken
aback. The little vessel "paid off" from the wind, and ran for some
time directly before it, tearing through the water with everything
flying. Having called all hands, we closereefed the topsails and
trysail, furled the courses and jib, set the fore-topmast staysail,
and brought her up nearly to her course, with the weather braces
hauled in a little, to ease her.
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