Owing to head winds the bark had to tack all the way to Gibraltar.

Sometimes close under a mountain and again far out in the Mediterranean, she beat her way down the coast.

The weather was clear and beautiful and the crew did not have much to do outside of cleaning her down, mending and making sails.

All who could handle the needle well were engaged in that occupation.

They sat on the quarter deck and sewed industriously while the boatswain chalked and cut the lines for them.