Keep your head down, now, while I shut you in!" From the same place Van der Kemp had drawn a small triangular foresail, which he proceeded to attach to the bow of the canoe--running its point out by means of tackle laid along the deck--while Moses was busy reefing the mainsail.
From the same repository were extracted three waterproof coats, which, when put on by the canoe-men, the tails thrust below-deck, and the aprons drawn over them and belted round their waists, protected their persons almost completely from water.
"Now, Nigel," said the hermit, "unship the mast, reeve the halyard of this foresail through the top and then re-ship it.

Moses will give you the mainsail when ready, and you can hook the halyards on to it.

The thing is too simple to require explanation to a sailor.

I attend to the foresail and Moses manages the mainsheet, but you have to mind the halyards of both, which, as you would see if it were light enough, run down alongside the mast.

All I ask you to remember is to be smart in obeying orders, for squalls are sometimes very sudden here--but I doubt not that such a caution is needless." "I'll do my best," said Nigel.
By this time a slight puff of air had ruffled the sea, thereby intensifying, if possible, the blackness which already prevailed.