etting rid of him. It was clear,
indeed, that what we should determine to do could not be done too soon.
Still the odds were too much against us to allow of our proceeding
without the greatest caution.

Peters proposed that he should go up on deck, and enter into
conversation with the watch (Allen), when he would be able to throw him
into the sea without trouble, and without making any disturbance, by
seizing a good opportunity, that Augustus and myself should then come
up, and endeavour to provide ourselves with some kind of weapons from
the deck, and that we should then make a rush together, and secure the
companion-way before any opposition could be offered. I objected to
this, because I could not believe that the mate (who was a cunning
fellow in all matters which did not affect his superstitious prejudices)
would suffer himself to be so easily entrapped. The very fact of there
being a watch on deck at all was sufficient proof that he was upon the
alert,--it not being usual except in vessels where discipline is most
rigidly enforced, to station a watch on deck when a vessel is lying-to
in a gale of wind. As I address myself principally, if not altogether,
to persons who have never been to sea, it may be as well to state the
exact condition of a vessel under such circumstances. Lying-to, or,
in sea-parlance, "laying-to," is a measure resorted to for various
purposes, and effected in various manners. In moderate weather it
is frequently done with a view of merely bringing the vessel to a
stand-still, to wait for another vessel or any similar object. If
the vessel which lies-to is under full sail, the manoeuvre is usually
accomplished by throwing round some portion of her sails, so as to let
the wind take them aback, when she becomes stationary. But we are now
speaking of lying-to in a gale of wind. This is done when the wind
is ahead, and too violent to admit of carrying sail without danger of
capsizing; and sometimes even when the wind is fair, but the sea too
heavy for the vessel to be put before it. If a vessel be suffered to
scud before the wind in a very heavy sea, much damage is usually done
her by the shipping of water over her stern, and sometimes by the
violent plunges she makes forward. This manoeuvre, then, is seldom
resorted to in such case, unless through necessity. When the vessel
is in a leaky condition she is often put before the wind even in the
heaviest seas; for, when lying-to, her seams are sure to