At eight bells, nothing is
said about reefing the topsails, and the watch go below, with orders
to "stand by for a call." We turn-in, growling at the "old man" for
not reefing the topsails when the watch was changed, but putting it
off so as to call all hands, and break up a whole watch below. Turn-in
"all standing," and keep ourselves awake, saying there is no use in
going asleep to be waked up again.- Wind whistles on deck, and ship
works hard, groaning and creaking, and pitching into a heavy head sea,
which strikes against the bows, with a noise like knocking upon a
rock.- The dim lamp in the forecastle swings to and fro, and things
"fetch away" and go over to leeward.- "Doesn't that booby of a second
mate ever mean to take in his top-gallant sails?- He'll have the
sticks out of her soon," says old Bill, who was always growling, and,
like most old sailors, did not like to see a ship abused.- By-and-by
an order is given- "Aye, aye, sir!" from the forecastle;- rigging is
heaved down on deck;- the noise of a sail is heard fluttering aloft,
and the short, quick cry which sailors make when hauling upon
clewlines.
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