"This Is The Same Place Where The Rosa Got Ashore,"
Observed The Redheaded Second Mate, Most Mal-A-Propos.
A malediction
on the Rosa, and him too, was all the answer he got, and he slunk
off to leeward.
In a few minutes, the force of the wind and the
rising of the tide backed us into the stream, and we were on our
way to our old anchoring-place, the tide setting swiftly up, and
the ship barely manageable, in the light breeze. We came-to, in
our old berth, opposite the hide-house, whose inmates were not a
little surprised to see us return. We felt as though we were tied
to California; and some of the crew swore that they never should
get clear of the bloody coast.
In about half an hour, which was near high water, the order was
given to man the windlass, and again the anchor was catted; but not
a word was said about the last time. The California had come back
on finding that we had returned, and was hove-to, waiting for us,
off the point. This time we passed the bar safely, and were soon
up with the California, who filled away, and kept us company.
She seemed desirous of a trial of speed, and our captain accepted
the challenge, although we were loaded down to the bolts of
our chain plates, as deep as a sand-barge, and bound so taught
with our cargo that we were no more fit for a race than a man
in fetters; - while our antagonist was in her best trim. Being
clear of the point, the breeze became stiff, and the royal masts
bent under our sails, but we would not take them in until we saw
three boys spring aloft into the rigging of the California; when
they were all furled at once, but with orders to stay aloft at the
top-gallant mastheads, and loose them again at the word. It was
my duty to furl the fore royal; and while standing by to loose
it again, I had a fine view of the scene. From where I stood,
the two vessels seemed nothing but spars and sails, while their
narrow decks, far below, slanting over by the force of the wind
aloft, appeared hardly capable of supporting the great fabrics
raised upon them. The California was to windward of us, and had
every advantage; yet, while the breeze was stiff, we held our
own. As soon as it began to slacken, she ranged a little ahead,
and the order was given to loose the royals. In an instant the
gaskets were off and the bunt dropped. "Sheet home the fore royal!
- Weather sheet's home!" - "Hoist away, sir!" is bawled from aloft.
"Overhaul your clew-lines!" shouts the mate. "Aye, aye, sir, all
clear!" - "Taught leech! belay! Well the lee brace; haul taught to
windward" - and the royals are set. These brought us up again; but
the wind continuing light, the California set hers, and it was soon
evident that she was walking away from us. Our captain then hailed,
and said that he should keep off to his course; adding - "She isn't
the Alert now. If I had her in your trim, she would have been out
of sight by this time." This was good-naturedly answered from the
California, and she braced sharp up, and stood close upon the wind
up the coast; while we squared away our yards, and stood before the
wind to the south-south-west. The California's crew manned her
weather rigging, waved their hats in the air, and gave up three
hearty cheers, which we answered as heartily, and the customary
single cheer came back to us from over the water. She stood on
her way, doomed to eighteen months' or two years' hard service upon
that hated coast, while we were making our way to our home, to which
every hour and every mile was bringing us nearer.
As soon as we parted company with the California, all hands were
sent aloft to set the studding-sails. Booms were rigged out,
tacks and halyards rove, sail after sail packed upon her, until
every available inch of canvas was spread, that we might not lose a
breath of the fair wind. We could now see how much she was cramped
and deadened by her cargo; for with a good breeze on her quarter,
and every stitch of canvas spread, we could not get more than six
knots out of her. She had no more life in her than if she were
water-logged. The log was hove several times; but she was doing
her best. We had hardly patience with her, but the older sailors
said - "Stand by! you'll see her work herself loose in a week
or two, and then she'll walk up to Cape Horn like a race-horse."
When all sail had been set, and the decks cleared up, the California
was a speck in the horizon, and the coast lay like a low cloud along
the north-east. At sunset they were both out of sight, and we were
once more upon the ocean where sky and water meet.
CHAPTER XXX
BEGINNING THE LONG RETURN VOYAGE - A SCARE
At eight o'clock all hands were called aft, and the watches set for
the voyage. Some changes were made; but I was glad to find myself
still in the larboard watch. Our crew was somewhat diminished;
for a man and a boy had gone in the Pilgrim; another was second
mate of the Ayacucho; and a third, the oldest man of the crew,
had broken down under the hard work and constant exposure on the
coast, and, having had a stroke of the palsy, was left behind at
the hide-house under the charge of Captain Arthur. The poor fellow
wished very much to come home in the ship; and he ought to have
been brought home in her. But a live dog is better than a dead
lion, and a sick sailor belongs to nobody's mess; so he was sent
ashore with the rest of the lumber, which was only in the way.
By these diminutions, we were short-handed for a voyage round
Cape Horn in the dead of winter.
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