had the whole day before us; and what we had most
greatly to fear was a further increase in the strength of the wind.
Unhappily there was only too much reason to dread that this might
happen, if, indeed, it was not in process of happening already; for the
sky astern was rapidly assuming a blacker, wilder appearance, while it
was unquestionable that the sea was increasing in height and breaking
more heavily. This last was a serious misfortune for us in a double
sense; for, on the one hand, it increased the danger of the boat being
pooped, while on the other it materially reduced our progress, our low
sails becoming almost completely becalmed, and the boat's way slackening
every time that we settled into the hollow of a sea. So greatly did
this retard us that at length, despite the undeniable fact that the gale
was increasing, we shook out our last reef and attempted the hazardous
experiment of scudding under whole canvas. And for a short time we did
fairly well, although my heart was in my mouth every time that, as the
boat soared upward to the crest of a sea, the blast struck her with a
furious sweep, filling the sail with a jerk that threatened to take the
mast out of her, and taxing my skill to the utmost to prevent her from
broaching-to and capsizing. But it would not do; it was altogether too
dangerous an experiment to be continued. It was no longer a question of
skill in the handling of the boat, we were tempting Providence and
courting disaster, for the wind was freshening rapidly, so we had to
haul down a reef again, and even after we had done this we seemed to be
scarcely any better off than before.

Meanwhile, however, in the midst of our peril and anxiety we had the
satisfactory assurance that we were steadily nearing the ship; for we
had risen her until, when both she and the gig happened to be
simultaneously hove up on the crest of an unusually heavy sea, we could
catch a glimpse not only of the whole of her canvas, but also of the
sweep of her rail throughout its length, and we might now hope that at
any moment some keen-eyed sailor might notice our tiny sail and call
attention to it. Nay, there was just a possibility that this had
happened already, for we presently became aware that the ship had taken
in her topgallant-sails. Of course this might mean nothing more than
mere ordinary precaution on the part of a commander anxious to avoid
springing any of his spars; but it might also point to the conc