They also have their specific names, as the "weather fore-top-gallant brace," the "lee main brace." The bowlines are ropes attached to the leeches of square sails to draw the edge forward, so that they may take the wind better.

They are fastened to the bridles, which are loops like those of a kite, two or three of them extending from the side of the sail.
The halyards are the ropes by which any sail is hoisted.

For square sails they are secured to the yards, which, with the exception of the lower one on each mast slide up and down.
"Clear away the bowlines," said the first lieutenant when all hands were reported ready for the manoeuvre which had been ordered.
At this command the bowlines on the topsails and courses were unfastened.
"All clear, sir," reported the officers from their stations.
"Round in the weather braces, ease off the lee braces!" was the next order.

"Settle away the topsail halyards! Clew down!" To round in the weather braces was simply to haul them up as the lee braces were slacked, so that the yard was squared.

As the command was executed, the sail was "spilled," or the wind thrown out of it.
"Haul out the reef tackles! Haul up the buntlines!" continued the executive officer.
To reef a sail is to tie up a portion of it, so as to present less surface of canvas to the force of the wind.