if the
stern were trying to get ahead of the bow. Whenever I see a mule turning
his head back to look at his driver, it always reminds me of the old
brig Grenfalls. Besides the leak, a new danger confronted us.

As we neared Cape Horn the seas became much higher and the storm
increased. The sun would rise at nearly ten o'clock in the morning, and
go down at two in the afternoon. The clouds were very heavy, and
seemingly close to the water. Heavy snow-storms were common. The wind,
however, was in our favour. Sometimes there would be a lull in the gale;
then more sail would have to be set to keep us ahead of the immense high
waves, else one might come over our stern and sink us. On the other hand
was the danger of going too fast; in that case the vessel would run
under and, loaded as it was, must go down like a piece of iron. Another
trouble was that we had to heave-to frequently, and that was very
dangerous. Now going before the wind and then swinging around head to
wind, as near as possible, compelled us to get into the trough of the
sea. If we had been struck by one of those huge waves broadside on, the
voyage would have terminated just then.

The gale that brought us to Cape Horn followed the Pacific coast to
Staten Island, and then up the Atlantic Ocean. One day, as we were
sailing too slowly, a great wave almost broke over our stern. The main
top-gallant-sail was set in a hurry. A few hours afterward the wind
increased, and the light sail had to be taken in. Before Jimmy and I
could get aloft to furl it, there was nothing left. The wind had blown
it away in small pieces. That night we were compelled to heave to again.
No matter which way the tub's head was pointed, we were going in the
right direction, even if it were stern first, drifting before the wind.
Our cook and steward was a wild, red-headed fellow--Darwin's missing
link. My chum accused him of cheating us out of our pint of drinking
water. They were quarrelling all day about it. That night Reddy came to
the forecastle scuttle while I was getting some hard-tack ready for
eating--that is, hunting for meal worms. Reddy commenced the row again.
He was just going to paralyze Jimmy! I had not said a word yet, but my
chum was not going to be hurt if I could help it. At last the man became
quite brave. He told Jimmy he'd lick him and his chum together. The chum
was myself. So we invited him to come below. He lost no time in doing
so. Before he got half-way down w