[Outward Bound by Oliver Optic]@TWC D-Link bookOutward Bound CHAPTER XI 2/16
"I talked with the chaplain half an hour to-night.
When he went to my berth after the wine, I rather think he heard the rattle of the props.
At any rate the whole thing will be broken up to-morrow or next day." "I don't see how that will make a row.
Not more than a dozen fellows have played any; and they won't think of making a row about that." "You see!" added Shuffles, confidently. "Ugh!" exclaimed Wilton, as a cloud of spray dashed over the bow, and drenched the lookout; but they wore their pea-jackets, and such an occurrence was to be expected at sea. "Stand by to take in studding sails!" shouted Paul Kendall, who was the officer of the deck; and the order was repeated by his subordinates in the waist and on the forecastle. "We must go," said Wilton; and they descended from their position. The wind had continued to freshen, until the ship labored somewhat under her heavy press of canvas.
It was the policy of the principal to go as easily and comfortably as possible, and he had directed Mr.Fluxion, if the wind continued to increase, to have the sail reduced, though neither the safety of the ship nor of the spars absolutely required such a step. The quarter watch on deck was sufficient to perform this labor. "Lay aloft, foretopmen!" said the second lieutenant; and those of the watch who had their stations in the fore rigging sprang up the shrouds. "Stand by the halyard of the top-gallant studding sails! Man the tacks and sheets!" "All ready, sir," reported the second midshipman, who was in the foretop, superintending the operation. "Lower on the halyards! Ease off the tacks, and haul on the sheet!" The two top-gallant studding-sails were thus brought into the top, where they were made up.
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