"There, off we go upon our course again. Do you see how much better she stands up to it, Tom? and how much better weather we are making? I don't like the looks of things to windward, however; and I guess that we will square away for a harbor that I know on the other side of the sound, unless you would like to heave to out here, and ride it out. But we should make nothing by that, and we may as well get in smoother water as to jump about here; for it is coming on to blow fresh, if I know any thing about weather. My barometer is falling too, which is also a warning sign.
"Here comes an extra puff, rather more than we can stand even with this reef in; but you see, by shaking her up into the wind, I have allowed all its force to pass us without damage.
"Well, I think that we have had enough of this: it is cold, and the water that we are taking on board will soon chill us more. Here goes for squaring away before it!
"Stand by the main-sheet and jib-halliards!
"Ease away on the main-sheet, Tom! handsomely! Keep a good turn! Don't let it get away with you. That will do!—Ease off the jib-sheet, Bob! Make fast!"
"All fast, sir!"
"Why, uncle Charley, what a change! I should think there was scarcely any wind at all."
"Yes, that is a most common impression when a craft is kept off before the wind after pounding into it; but you should not be deceived. Now is the time that you must pay great attention to the helm; for the waves lift the stern so far out of the water, that the rudder acts, as you see, in an irregular and unequal manner, causing me to meet her as she yaws with a quick movement of the helm. I don't like the looks of the weather at all.
"Look out! Hold on, everybody! There, that sea has pooped us, and we are all afloat! This will never do.
"Stand by to haul aft the main-sheet! We must shake out this reef, Bob, if it is blowing fresh, so as to go faster before the wind, and not get pooped again."