There was
no sail now on the ship but the spanker and the close-reefed main
topsail, which still held good. But this was too much after sail;
and order was given to furl the spanker. The brails were hauled up,
and all the light hands in the starboard watch sent out on the gaff to
pass the gaskets; but they could do nothing with it. The second mate
swore at them for a parcel of "sogers," and sent up a couple of the
best men; but they could do no better, and the gaff was lowered
down. All hands were now employed in setting up the lee rigging,
fishing the spritsail-yard, lashing the galley, and getting tackles
upon the martingale, to bowse it to windward. Being in the larboard
watch, my duty was forward, to assist in setting up the martingale.
Three of us were out on the martingale guys and back-ropes for more
than half an hour, carrying out, hooking and unhooking the tackles,
several times buried in the seas, until the mate ordered us in, from
fear of our being washed off. The anchors were then to be taken up
on the rail, which kept all hands on the forecastle for an hour,
though every now and then the seas broke over it, washing the
rigging off to leeward, filling the lee scuppers breast high, and
washing chock aft to the taffrail.
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