Our minds revolted.

To us he was full of potentiality.

We knew not what to expect of him next, what fearful thing, rising above the flesh, he might break out and do.

Our experience warranted this state of mind, and we went about our work with anxiety always upon us.
I had solved the problem which had arisen through the shortness of the shears.

By means of the watch-tackle (I had made a new one), I heaved the butt of the foremast across the rail and then lowered it to the deck.
Next, by means of the shears, I hoisted the main boom on board.