When the wind blew hard and I was obliged to furl awnings, her sails, unprotected on the booms, got mud-stained from clue to earing.
The phenomena of dust-storms, well understood by scientists, are not uncommon on the coast of Africa.

Reaching some distance out over the sea, they frequently cover the track of ships, as in the case of the one through which the _Spray_ passed in the earlier part of her voyage.

Sailors no longer regard them with superstitious fear, but our credulous brothers on the land cry out "Rain of blood!" at the first splash of the awful mud.
The rip off Port Phillip Heads, a wild place, was rough when the _Spray_ entered Hobson's Bay from the sea, and was rougher when she stood out.

But, with sea-room and under sail, she made good weather immediately after passing it.

It was only a few hours' sail to Tasmania across the strait, the wind being fair and blowing hard.