But the
chest showed like the end of a long voyage, for there was nothing that
would answer but a few drops of laudanum, which must be saved for
any emergency; so I had only to bear the pain as well as I could.
When we went on deck at eight bells, it had stopped snowing, and
there were a few stars out, but the clouds were still black, and it
was blowing a steady gale. Just before midnight, I went aloft and sent
down the mizen royal yard, and had the good luck to do it to the
satisfaction of the mate, who said it was done "out of hand and
ship-shape." The next four hours below were but little relief to me,
for I lay awake in my berth, the whole time, from the pain in my face,
and heard every bell strike, and, at four o'clock, turned out with the
watch, feeling little spirit for the hard duties of the day. Bad
weather and hard work at sea can be borne up against very well, if one
only has spirit and health; but there is nothing brings a man down, at
such a time, like bodily pain and want of sleep. There was, however,
too much to do to allow time to think; for the gale of yesterday,
and the heavy seas we met with a few days before, while we had yet ten
degrees more southing to make, had convinced the captain that we had
something before us which was not to be trifled with, and orders
were given to send down the long topgallant masts.
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