AT SEA. 49 
the wind being to the north of west, made it much warmer; but 
this day at twelve o'clock it began to blow very hard from the same 
point, and carried away the main-top-gallant yard in the slings. We 
got it down as soon as possible. At four we took in the first reef in 
the main-sail ; the others had been reefed some days. At five the 
squalls were so heavy, that we took in the second reefs in fore and 
mizen top-sails, and handed the main-sail. At six it encreased to a 
very hard gale from the west, with violent squalls, and rain. We 
handed the fore and mizen top-sails, and took in the third reef in 
the main top-sail. We were now obliged to keep the ship before the 
wind. It blew, in the sailors' phrase, great guns. It was impossible 
to stand on the poop without holding, and then with difficulty. 
The swell was kept down by the violence of the wind itself, which 
carried the white spray from the top of the waves in such abund- 
ance, as to resemble a storm of hail. The ship, of course, laboured 
much, but remained tolerably dry on deck, and made so little water 
that we pumped only twice in twenty-four hours. The scene was 
magnificent, but too awful to be agreeable. I am glad I have seen 
it once, but I hope I never shall again. 
November 19. — About two in the morning the gale fortunately 
began to abate, and we were able to set the fore top-sail; and at 
six we left only two reefs in the fore and main top-sail. There is a 
heavy swell from the southward, and it is very cold ; we how- 
ever make good way, and the ship is as comfortable as could be 
expected. 
November 2,4, — The weather has been moderate though unplea- 
sant ; the effect of a considerable swell. We have not been disap- 
pointed in meeting with favourable winds in these high southern 
