For The Whole Of That Night Did We Continue Beating Up
Along The Edge Of The Ice, In The Teeth
Of a whole gale
of wind; at last, about nine o'clock in the morning, - but
two short hours before the
Moment at which it had been
agreed we should bear up, and abandon the attempt, - we
came up with a long low point of ice, that had stretched
further to the Westward than any we had yet doubled; and
there, beyond, lay an open sea! - open not only to the
Northward and Westward, but also to the Eastward! You
can imagine my excitement." Turn the hands up, Mr. Wyse!"
"'Bout ship!" "Down with the helm!" "Helm a-lee!" Up
comes the schooner's head to the wind, the sails flapping
with the noise of thunder - blocks rattling against the
deck, as if they wanted to knock their brains out - ropes
dancing about in galvanised coils, like mad serpents - and
everything to an inexperienced eye in inextricable
confusion; till gradually she pays off on the other
tack - the sails stiffen into deal-boards - the staysail
sheet is let go - and heeling over on the opposite side.
Again she darts forward over the sea like an arrow from
the bow. "Stand by to make sail!" "Out all reefs!" I
could have carried sail to sink a man-of-war! - and away
the little ship went, playing leapfrog over the heavy
seas, and staggering under her canvas, as if giddy with
the same joyful excitement which made my own heart thump
so loudly.
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