As we drew near, carried rapidly
along by the current, we overhauled our chain, and clewed up the
topsails.
"Let go the anchor!" said the captain but either there was
not chain enough forward of the windlass, or the anchor went down
foul, or we had too much headway on, for it did not bring us up.
"Pay out chain!" shouted the captain; and we gave it to her; but it
would not do. Before the other anchor could be let go, we drifted
down, broadside on, and went smash into the Lagoda. Her crew were
at breakfast in the forecastle, and the cook, seeing us coming,
rushed out of his galley, and called up the officers and men.
Fortunately no great harm was done. Her jib-boom ran between our
fore and main masts, carrying away some of our rigging, and breaking
down the rail. She lost her martingale. This brought us up, and as
they paid out chain, we swung clear of them, and let go the other
anchor; but this had as bad luck as the first, for, before any one
perceived it, we were drifting on to the Loriotte. The captain now
gave out his orders rapidly and fiercely, sheeting home the topsails,
and backing and filling the sails, in hope of starting or clearing
the anchors; but it was all in vain, and he sat down on the rail,
taking it very leisurely, and calling out to Captain Nye, that he was
coming to pay him a visit.
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