"By the sky to-day I knew we should have a gale to-night," said Captain Phillips cheerfully, as he donned his storm-jacket of shiny oilskin, and came on deck.
"'A mackerel sky and grey mares' tails
Make lofty ships carry lowly sails.'
A glorious sailor is Manfredi! How smartly he had all the cloth off her. But we'll need our best umbrellas to-night."
Suddenly, from the forecastle, through the many wild sounds of the squall, there came the appalling cry:
"A man overboard! hard down! hard down!"
Other shouts followed.
"Ahoy! heave over the life buoy! mainsail to the wind! clear away a boat!"
Captain Phillips grasped his trumpet; Mr. Quail—who had just turned into his berth with his clothes on, "all standing"—Dr. Heriot, and Hawkshaw sprang on deck at this new alarm.
"Hard down with the helm!" cried Phillips; "to the braces, men! let go, and haul! Back with the mainyard! Ready the starboard quarter boat, and cut away the life-buoy!"
The mainsail was speedily laid to the mast, though there was great danger lest, in such a gale, it might be carried away entirely, and, in the excitement of the moment, even the most sullen of that ill-assorted crew worked cheerily and well.