of ships were setting sail at the same time,
their white canvas rapidly expanding to the breeze.

We were among the first to get under weigh, and running past numerous
ships we took the lead and kept it, closely pressed, however, by another
whaler, the "Fair Rosamond," but we lost sight of her off the Isle of
Wight. As if the "Eagle" was eager to make up for lost time she ran
under every stitch of canvas she could carry at the rate of nearly
twelve knots an hour to the Lizard, when the wind fell; but it breezed
up again when we were in the Bay of Biscay, and blew great guns and
small arms, as sailors say, or in other words, very nearly a hurricane.
I own that I did not like it. Our stout ship looked like a mere
cockle-shell amid the mighty billows, which in huge watery walls rose
half-way up the masts, threatening every instant to overwhelm her.
Though I tried to conceal my fears Medley detected them, but he did not
laugh at me.

"I once should have felt as you do, Jack, but I know that we are as safe
here in God's hands as on shore," he observed. "Our ship is well-built,
well found, and well manned, and I trust that we shall weather this
gale, and any others we may have to encounter."

We did weather it without carrying away a rope-yarn, and having sighted
Madeira steered for the Cape de Verde Islands, at one of which, Brava,
we called to obtain fresh provisions and to ship several tall Kroomen to
pull the midship oars in the whale boats. Very fine fellows they were,
with gentle, happy dispositions, never grumbling or complaining, and
they were consequently much liked by the officers and all the best men
of the crew.

After crossing the line "Sail ho!" was shouted from the masthead. We
steered towards her. The stranger proved to be an English brig bound
from Brazil to Liverpool. The wind being light our captains exchanged
visits, and Medley, I, and others wrote home by her. When in the
latitude of the River Plate preparations were made for bad weather, as
the winter of that region was approaching. The long royal-masts were
sent down and replaced by stump topgallant masts, the flying jib-boom,
and the studding-sail booms were also sent down, and all the boats,
except one, were got in and secured, and the hatches were battened down,
and everything else was done to make the ship light aloft. Some of the
men thought the captain over careful, but it was soon shown that he was
right.

"We shall have it befor