284 THE BOY CAPTAIN.

should be allowed to assist in whatever way it might be
possible, and Bob volunteered to make a crutch for him,
which, as he said, would patch him up as well as “a
bloomin’ mutineer ought to expect.”

All this was done as agreed upon, and before the week
had come to an end, the brig was being handled, thanks
to this addition to her small crew, as well as could be
expected.

The weather continued favourable in the highest degree
until they were drawing near their destination.

On Sunday, the 17th of February, in latitude 38°
55’ N., and longitude 72° 20’ W., the following entry
explains sufficiently the difficulty under which the limited
crew laboured, during the forty-six hours preceding their
arrival in the home port.

«“ This day begins with faint airs from southeast, and fine weather,
with all sails set. 5 P.M. Fresh breezes from south-southeast, fresh-
ening with a falling barometer. At the same time I judged myself
to be across the Gulf Stream. 8 P.M. Fresh gales from south to
southeast. Io P.M. Squally, with sharp lightning from the north-
west and northeast. Furled royals and flying jib. At midnight
glass still falling, and weather very threatening. Furled topgallant-
sail. 2 A.M. Wind veered around to the southwest. Single reefed
the fore and maintopsails. 5 a.m. Heavy gales from the west, south-
west with a very heavy sea on. Close reefed the foretopsail ‘and
double reefed the main. 6 A.M. Split foretopmaststaysail. 7 A.M.
Reefed the trysail, and bent a new foretopmaststaysail; furled the
jib, and set foretopmast and mainstaysails. Before the foretopsail
could be reefed, it split again above the first reef-band. Clear, cold
weather with a heavy sea, and the brig behaves like a lady.”