CHAPTER XXXV
A DOUBLE REEF-TOP-SAIL BREEZE--SCURVY--A FRIEND IN NEED--PREPARING
FOR PORT--THE GULF STREAM
From the latitude of the West Indies, until we got inside the
Bermudas, where we took the westerly and south-westerly winds, which
blow steadily off the coast of the United States early in the
autumn, we had every variety of weather, and two or three moderate
gales, or, as sailors call them, double-reef-topsail breezes, which
came on in the usual manner, and of which one is a specimen of
all.- A fine afternoon; all hands at work, some in the rigging, and
others on deck; a stiff breeze, and ship close upon the wind, and
skysails brailed down.- Latter part of the afternoon, breeze increases,
ship lies over to it, and clouds look windy. Spray begins to fly
over the forecastle, and wets the yarns the boys are knotting;- ball
them up and put them below.- Mate knocks off work and clears up decks
earlier than usual, and orders a man who has been employed aloft to
send the royal halyards over to windward, as he comes down. Breast
backstays hauled taught, and tackle got upon the martingale
back-rope.
Pages:
594
595
596
597
598
599
600
601
602
603
604
605
606
607
608
609
610
611
612
613
614
615
616
617
618