To the top of the foremast, which was just lifted conveniently from the deck, I attached the rigging, stays and throat and peak halyards.

As usual, I had underrated the amount of work involved in this portion of the task, and two long days were necessary to complete it.

And there was so much yet to be done--the sails, for instance, which practically had to be made over.
While I toiled at rigging the foremast, Maud sewed on canvas, ready always to drop everything and come to my assistance when more hands than two were required.

The canvas was heavy and hard, and she sewed with the regular sailor's palm and three-cornered sail-needle.

Her hands were soon sadly blistered, but she struggled bravely on, and in addition doing the cooking and taking care of the sick man.
"A fig for superstition," I said on Friday morning.