Hesitation would not do, however, and no one hesitated.

Dick Sand, accompanied by Bat and Austin, climbed into the rigging of the foremast, and succeeded, not without trouble, in taking in the top-sail.

In less threatening weather he would have left the two yards on the mast, but, foreseeing that he would probably be obliged to level that mast, and perhaps even to lay it down upon the deck, he unrigged the two yards and sent them to the deck.

In fact, it is understood that when the wind becomes too strong, not only must the sails be diminished, but also the masting.

That is a great relief to the ship, which, carrying less weight above, is no longer so much strained with the rolling and pitching.
This first work accomplished--and it took two hours--Dick Sand and his companions were busy reducing the surface of the top-sail, by taking in two reefs.