The sailboat needs a wide sea and a favorable wind in order to double Cape Horn,--the utmost point of the earth, the place of interminable and gigantic tempests.
While summer was burning in the other hemisphere, the terrible southern winter came to meet the navigators.

The boat had to turn its course to the west, just as the winds were blowing from the west, barring its route.
Eight weeks passed and it was still contending with sea and tempest.
The wind carried off a complete set of sails.

The wooden ship, somewhat strained by this interminable struggle, commenced to leak, and the crew had to work the hand-pumps night and day.

Nobody was able to sleep for many hours running.

All were sick from exhaustion.