"Mind, though, and come down as soon as you've done it, for one doesn't know what may happen!" "Aye, aye, sir, all right," sang out Jackson in reply; and under his orders the gaskets were quickly cast-off and the bunt dropped, when the men shinned down the rigging and ran the sheet aft, the sail blowing out like a big white cloud over the forecastle before the tacks could be belayed.
Fortunately, while taking in sail on the night of the thunder-storm, Jackson had caused the foresail to be reefed before being clewed up, and this precaution now stood us in good stead, as, instead of its being spread to its full extent, only a portion of the sail was exposed to the wind.

This, however, was quite sufficient; for, small as it was, it tugged at the restraining ropes like a giant endeavouring to free himself from his bonds, flying out from the yards with spasmodic jerks and pulling at the mast in a way that showed that, if the spar had not had additional support, it would probably have been torn bodily away out of the ship.
The _Josephine_, though, soon felt the difference of having the sail on her; for, instead of now bowing to the seas and taking them in over her head, she rose buoyantly, dashing along, of course, with greater speed than before.
Captain Miles was quite triumphant over it.
"There, Marline, what do you think of that ?" he said, rubbing his hands with much gusto.

"Didn't I tell you so ?" "Yes, sir, so you did," answered the other; "but we'll wait and see how long it lasts." "Bah! it will last our turn," said the captain, with a laugh at Mr Marline's obstinate retention of his own opinion.

"Anyhow, it has eased the ship already." "It hasn't eased the steering, though," retorted the mate.

"We'll want six men at the helm if she goes on jumping like this.