on either side to make it drop in true when
it was right over the place for its reception.

It did not take long to fix it now perpendicularly; although, as the
spar had been severed some feet from the deck, the new end of it was
more slender than the old, and so required packing round with pieces of
wood driven in by mallets to make it secure.

Next, the standing rigging was set up after being first shortened; and
Adze had a good deal of blacksmith's work to do in making fresh bolts
and eyes, converting Cuffee's galley into a temporary forge for this
purpose. All the ropes and blocks having been carefully collected
beforehand and sorted, this labour did not consume half the time that
one would have thought.

On the fifth day, the mizzen-mast was also got back into its place.

Then the yards were crossed and sails bent on the mainmast; and the
_Josephine_ appeared to show nearly as much top-hamper as she did before
the gale, only that all the masts were much shorter than before, the
foremast especially being only an apology for the former spar.

However, the change made a wonderful improvement in the appearance of
the ship; and when the broken bulwarks were patched up, which was done
on the last day of the week, she was herself again.

On the Sunday that followed the righting of the ship we had our prayers
on the poop as usual, Captain Miles returning especial thanks to the
great Ruler of the deep for all the mercies we had received; and, as a
fair wind sprung up in the evening of the same day from the south, we
set sail once more, moving away from the spot where we had been
refitting.

"I don't think," said Captain Miles, "that we've drifted twenty miles
either way since this day week; for there's no current hereabout, and
we've had little or no wind."

"We're then still about the centre of the Sargasso Sea," observed Mr
Marline.

"Aye," responded the other; "so Master Tom will have ample opportunities
within the next fortnight or so for studying all you told him about the
Gulf-weed, for I've no doubt we'll presently pass through lots of it."

"Shall you shape a straight course for the Channel, sir?" asked the
first mate, looking at his watch as he did so in a very self-satisfied
sort of way, it seemed.

"You may well observe that time-piece of yours carefully," said the
captain with a sigh, although he smiled as he spoke. "On that little
article depends all our navigation--that is, until we meet with s