12 



THREE YEARS IN THE PACIFIC 



and the order given to heave round." The next moment, the 



second" cried, ^^high enough." 



Pall the capstan — unship the bars — forward to the ^ cat' — 

 move, lads, move — " replied the first" in the full tone of a 

 manly voice, unaided by his trumpet. A few seconds only 

 passed, and the anchor rested on the bows. 



^'Man the jib haulyards." 

 All manned, Sir," replied the second." 

 Haul taught — hoist away the jib — starboard your helm, 

 quarter-master — jump to the braces — starboard fore braces — 

 larboard main braces — starboard cro' jack braces, haul in — ." 

 The execution of these orders, almost as fast as given, brought 

 the fore-topsail aback against the mast, while the after" yards 

 were full ; and aided by the jib, her head ^^paid round," and 

 looked down the stream. Now, the yards were trimmed to 

 the wind, and the ship moved gently on her way. 



The wind drew kindly aft. Sail after sail was spread, and 

 studding-sails were set, ^^ow and aloft ;" thus, under a cloud 

 of canvass, and with a fine breeze, the ship swept away w^ith 

 the ease and grace of a sea bird. 



Silence took place of the bustle consequent upon getting 

 under way. The sea-officei^s still remained at their stations, 

 while the idlers* were on the poop, admiring the scenes we 

 were passing on either hand, or conversing with those few 

 friends, who, determined to see the last of us, accompanied us 

 down to return in the pilot boat. It is soothing, in after years, 

 to call to mind those who thus speed us with still another look 

 — another grasp ; — to what hopes, and fears, and regrets, does 

 the word farewell give rise ! 



The men were standing about the decks, ready to seize a 

 rope when ordered. The pilot stood upon a gun, attentive to 

 the song of the leadsman in the chains, as he cried, «^by the 

 deep nine," and narrowly watching the progress of the ship. 

 His words were few, and directed to the quarter master at the 



* Idler is the epithet applied to all officers on board of a man-of-war, who 

 do not keep a regular watch ; such are the surgeon, purser, sailing master, &c. 



