The promenade deck was swept by floods of spray all the time, and the party had not been there five minutes before they were wet to the skin; but no one minded this, for the weather was quite warm, the wind, fresh as it was, coming from the burning sands of Africa.
The tack was secured, and the clew hauled out to the end of the boom. The foot of the sail was then lashed down, and the work was finished, though it had taken an hour and a half to do it. The two sailors then overhauled the sheet and the halyards to see that they were in working order. Pitts had brought up some "slush," or grease, which was applied where it was needed.
A single reef was then put in the sail, and then a second upon the top of it, so that the last could be turned out if the craft would bear more sail. Captain Scott then stationed his force so that none of them would be knocked overboard by the thrashing of the sail, which was then hoisted with no little difficulty. The sheet was hauled in and made fast to the lower block, which moved on a traveller.
"The sail was then hoisted with no little difficulty."
The wind was square on the beam, and filled the reefed sail. The blast laid the steamer down to the plankshear; but she rallied after the first shock, and did not heel over as much as the captain supposed she would. The effect was very satisfactory, and the Maud went along much steadier than before.
"What do you think of it, Pitts?" asked the captain, and all the party were holding on at the stays of the smoke-stack.
"She behaves like a dandy, sir," replied the steward. "She would carry the foresail with only one reef in it."