170 A MEDLEY OF SPORT 



had yet fallen upon the main, that portion of the coast 

 lying under the track taken by the clouds was covered 

 in a white mantle. 



" There be a power of wind behind they clouds. 

 We'd best reef close down and run up the Crouch, for 

 I doubt we're a-going to have dirty weather along with 

 this yer snow," said old Gilson, as he looked up to wind- 

 ward somewhat anxiously. 



To close-reef the mainsail and set a storm-jib was but 

 the work of a few minutes, and fortunate was it that we 

 took the sage advice of the experienced shell-back, for 

 twenty minutes later down came the snow in a perfect 

 blizzard, and with it a bitterly cold wind of half-gale 

 strength, which sent the salt spray seething over the 

 weather-coaming of the well in a perfect deluge. The 

 snow fell faster and faster, until every object lying beyond 

 the bowsprit-end was as completely veiled from view 

 as the summit of a cloud-capped mountain, and the 

 accompanying squalls would at times " heel " our little 

 ship over until the dark foam-crested water flooded the 

 lee-rail and deck almost level with the well-coaming. 

 More than one heavy sea struck her quarter, and sent the 

 salt spray hissing over the weather side. 



'' It be a proper owd snow-tempest, and if it do blow 

 much harder us'll heve to lower the main and sail under 

 mizzen and foresail, or danged if the mast won't carry 

 away ! " cried old Gilson, as he luffed the yacht to meet 

 a squall that nearly laid her on her beam-ends. 



" Oh, the old craft will weather it, for her spars and 



