While busily employed in various duties I felt an uncomfortable sensation pervading every part of my system.

My head grew dizzy and my limbs grew weak; I found, to my utter confusion, that I WAS SEASICK! I had hardly made the humiliating discovery, when the boatswain hoarsely issued the unwelcome order, "Lay aloft, lads, and send down the royal yards and masts!" My pride would not allow me to shrink from my duty, and especially a duty like this, which belonged to light hands.

And while I heartily wished the masts and yards, which added so much to the beauty of the ship, and of which I was so proud in port, fifty fathoms beneath the keelson, I hastened with my wonted alacrity aloft, and commenced the work of sending down the main-royal yard.
Seasickness is an unwelcome malady at best.

It not only deprives a person of all buoyancy of spirit, but plunges him headlong into the gulf of despondency.

His only desire is to remain quiet; to stir neither limb nor muscle; to lounge or lie down and muse on his unhappy destiny.