404 ANCHOR ONCE MORE ON AMERICAN BOTTOM. 



pendent of the clerk of tlie weather. But we can go 

 only a few ship's lengths farther : that is near enough 

 — we are only three miles from New Bedford. 



"Now, then, round in on your weather-braces. 

 Start away tacks and sheets. Clew up ev^erything. 

 Haul down your jibs and staysails. Start away 

 your halyards, and let your yards come down by 

 the run. Let the spanker remain till she comes 

 to the wind. Hard down the helm. Square the 

 main yard. Brail up the spanker — one minute 

 more. Let go the anchor." The heavy cable runs 

 out unimpeded, and once more we have a firm hold 

 on American bottom ! 



Our next duty is to furl the sails, and then our 

 engagement is ended : then we are free to do as we 

 please ; then we are released from all discipline, ex- 

 cept that enjoined by self-respect ; then we once 

 more become members of society ; then we will dis- 

 card the blue shirt of the sailor, and in the midst of 

 long anticipated comforts forget our manifold hard- 

 ships and dangers ; then we will take the preliminary 

 steps toward meeting friends and relatives, and in 

 the joy of the moment we are repaid for much that 

 we have undergone of toil and exposure. 



Our job aloft was an arduous one, having carried 

 such a press of sail up the bay and river, and then 

 when a ship is at anchor she always swings head to 

 wind — consequently her sails are pressed aft by the 

 breeze, and it is only by considerable tugging and 

 straining that they are drawn up to the yard. How- 

 ever, this, like many other unpleasant duties, could 

 not last for ever. By dint of hauling and tugging, 

 we accomplished it, and descended to the deck, with 



