se should be set, the
mast even now bending before the gale although no sail was as yet on it.

"Now, men, loose the foresail!" shouted Captain Miles, much pleased with
the sharp way in which the task had been accomplished through the men's
promptitude. "Mind, though, and come down as soon as you've done it,
for one doesn't know what may happen!"

"Aye, aye, sir, all right," sang out Jackson in reply; and under his
orders the gaskets were quickly cast-off and the bunt dropped, when the
men shinned down the rigging and ran the sheet aft, the sail blowing out
like a big white cloud over the forecastle before the tacks could be
belayed.

Fortunately, while taking in sail on the night of the thunder-storm,
Jackson had caused the foresail to be reefed before being clewed up, and
this precaution now stood us in good stead, as, instead of its being
spread to its full extent, only a portion of the sail was exposed to the
wind. This, however, was quite sufficient; for, small as it was, it
tugged at the restraining ropes like a giant endeavouring to free
himself from his bonds, flying out from the yards with spasmodic jerks
and pulling at the mast in a way that showed that, if the spar had not
had additional support, it would probably have been torn bodily away out
of the ship.

The _Josephine_, though, soon felt the difference of having the sail on
her; for, instead of now bowing to the seas and taking them in over her
head, she rose buoyantly, dashing along, of course, with greater speed
than before.

Captain Miles was quite triumphant over it.

"There, Marline, what do you think of that?" he said, rubbing his hands
with much gusto. "Didn't I tell you so?"

"Yes, sir, so you did," answered the other; "but we'll wait and see how
long it lasts."

"Bah! it will last our turn," said the captain, with a laugh at Mr
Marline's obstinate retention of his own opinion. "Anyhow, it has eased
the ship already."

"It hasn't eased the steering, though," retorted the mate. "We'll want
six men at the helm if she goes on jumping like this. She's worse than
a kangaroo now."

"Better leap over the waves than under them, having a ton of green water
come over our bows every minute. Steady, there!"

"Steady it is, sir," replied Moggridge, who was acting as quartermaster.

"Keep her so, and mind to let her off when she seems inclined to broach
to. I think we've seen the worst of it now, and can pipe down to
dinner."

"I'm su