When the decks were dry, the lord paramount made his
appearance on the quarter-deck, and took a few turns, when eight bells
were struck, and all hands went to breakfast. Half an hour was allowed
for breakfast, when all hands were called again; the kids, pots,
bread-bags, etc., stowed away; and, this morning, preparations were
made for getting under weigh. We paid out on the chain by which we
swung; hove in on the other; catted the anchor; and hove short on
the first. This work was done in shorter time than was usual on
board the brig; for though everything was more than twice as large and
heavy, the cat-block being as much as a man could lift, and the
chain as large as three of the Pilgrim's, yet there was a plenty of
room to move about in, more discipline and system, more men, and more
good will. Every one seemed ambitious to do his best: officers and men
knew their duty, and all went well. As soon as she was hove short, the
mate, on the forecastle, gave the order to loose the sails, and, in an
instant, every one sprung into the rigging, up the shrouds, and out on
the yards, scrambling by one another;- the first up the best fellow,-
cast off the yard-arm gaskets and bunt gaskets, and one man remained
on each yard, holding the bunt jigger with a turn round the tye, all
ready to let go, while the rest laid down to man the sheets and
halyards.
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