'But we've got to make up the even fifteen,' Captain Thorne replied; 'set the royals and skysails.'
The mate went forward wagging his head, and the watch began to talk; but the skipper got his fifteen knots, and the wool ship disappeared.
All that day the vessel flew before the wind; but toward evening the flying kites again came in.
CHAPTER XVIII
RACING HOMEWARD
As the flying ship drew southward of the Cape the weather became cold and stormy, while the great seas followed her with tremendous force, but they could never get any kind of serious grip, and with resounding emphasis broke on either quarter and rushed forward in seething foam.
So heavy did the wind become that, with much regret, the captain was compelled to shorten sail, and after the royals, studding-sails, and fore and mizen topgallant-sails were stowed the long winter night speedily closed down.
The barometer showed signs of further hard weather to come, and at the eight o'clock change of watches the main topgallant-sail, with the outer jib and upper mizen topsail, came in.
By ten o'clock the following gale had increased to a storm of considerable force, and after consultation with the chief mate and Mr. Sennit the skipper decided to put one reef in the main topsail, and two reefs in the fore topsail; but before going aloft the men hauled up the mainsail for stowage. It was, of course, an all hands job, and everyone knew that under such circumstances not much repose would be possible for several hours.
At that time there was a faint glimmer of moonlight, sometimes obliterated when a heavy, snow-laden cloud-bank passed overhead, but on other occasions quite a strong light prevailed for several minutes.