'Up aloft that yard must go,
Whisky, Johnny,'
the main topsail was reset 'taut leach,' while the fore topsail was also reefed, and the mainsail was stowed.
'That will do, starboard watch,' the old man, who never left the deck during that night, sang out, and, glad of a respite, Jack turned in.
But half his watch below had been spent on the yards, and on resuming duty the foresail had to be reefed; but the inner jib and the spanker had been stowed and reefed.
The gale showed no sign of abatement, nor the barometer any inclination to rise, while the barque, owing to her height above water, drifted to leeward somewhat faster than was deemed safe in such confined seas. She was, therefore, 'wore round' on the port tack.
Dawn was breaking just as the port watch went below, but the heavy rain and flying spume cut from the wave-tops by the wind, rendered it impossible to see any distance.
For a couple of hours nothing of moment occurred. Shortly after seven o'clock that morning, and during a sudden 'lifting' of the surrounding gloom, the lookout reported the loom of land right ahead.
Captain Thorne dropped his coffee-cup and rushed on deck, just in time to perceive the danger, and without a moment's hesitation he ordered the helm to be eased.
'I knew it was not far off,' he said; 'but we have drifted faster than I had allowed for. That may be due to a tide or a current. We can't knock about here in such weather, and will find shelter until the gale passes.'
He sent a hand with the lead-line into the main chains.