Boots, too, were
brought up; and having got a little tar and slush from below, we gave
them a thick coat. After dinner, all hands were turned-to, to get the
anchors over the bows, bend on the chains, etc. fishtackle was got up,
fish-davit rigged out, and after two or three hours of hard and cold
work, both the anchors were ready for instant use, a couple of
kedges got up, a hawser coiled away upon the fore-hatch, and the
deep-sea-lead-line overhauled and got ready. Our spirits returned with
having something to do; and when the tackle was manned to bowse the
anchor home, notwithstanding the desolation of the scene, we struck up
"Cheerily ho!" in full chorus. This pleased the mate, who rubbed his
hands and cried out- "That's right, my boys; never say die! That
sounds like the old crew!" and the captain came up, on hearing the
song, and said to the passenger, within hearing of the man at the
wheel,- "That sounds like a lively crew. They'll have their song so
long as there're enough left for a chorus!"
This preparation of the cable and anchors was for the passage of the
straits; for, being very crooked, and with a variety of currents, it
is necessary to come frequently to anchor.
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