All
hands are engaged upon it, and after the halyards are let go, there is
no time to be lost- no "sogering," or hanging back, then. If one is
not quick enough, another runs over him. The first on the yard goes to
the weather earing, the second to the lee, and the next two to the
"dog's ears;" while the others lay along into the bunt, just giving
each other elbow-room. In reefing, the yard-arms (the extremes of
the yards) are the posts of honor; but in furling, the strongest and
most experienced stand in the slings, (or, middle of the yard,) to
make up the bunt. If the second mate is a smart fellow, he will
never let any one take either of these posts from him; but if he is
wanting either in seamanship, strength, or activity, some better man
will get the bunt and earings from him; which immediately brings him
into disrepute.
*This word "lay," which is in such general use on board ship, being
used in giving orders instead of "go;" as, "Lay forward!" "Lay aft!"
"Lay aloft!" etc., I do not understand to be the neuter verb lie,
mispronounced, but to be the active verb lay, with the objective
case understood; as, "Lay yourselves forward!" "Lay yourselves aft!"
etc.
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