of shortening
sail long before the captain has made up his mind to call the hands
for that purpose, have probably been collected in groups for some time
in different parts of the upper deck, talking low to one another, and
looking aloft with a start, every now and then, as the masts or yards
give an extra crack.

"Well! this is packing on her," says one, laying an emphasis on the
word "is."

"Yes!" replies another; "and if our skipper don't mind, it will be
packing off her presently," with an emphasis on the word "off." "Right
well do I know these Cape gales," adds an ancient mariner of the
South Seas; "they snuffle up in a minute; and, I'll answer for it, the
captain will not carry sail so long off Cape Aguilhas, when he has
gone round that breezy point as often as old Bill has."

At this moment the tardy voice of the commander, long unwilling to
lose any part of the fair wind, is at length heard, giving the
reluctant order, "Turn the hands up, shorten sail!" The ready clatter
of feet, and the show of many heads at all the hatchways, and
perhaps the sound of a suppressed laugh amongst the men who have been
gossiping and wagering about the gale, give sufficient indication that
this evolution has been expected for some time.

"All hands shorten sail!" calls out the boatswain, after a louder and
sharper note than usual from his pipe, winded not half the ordinary
length of time, though twice as shrilly; for his object is to mark on
the ears of the people the necessity of unusual expedition and
exertion. A clever and experienced person filling this important
situation will soon teach the men to distinguish between the various
notes of his call, though to unpractised ears the sounds might appear
unvaried.

"Shorten sail! that's easier said than done," growls forth some
hard-up old cock.

"No! not a bit easier said than done," unexpectedly observes the
captain, but quite good-humouredly, having accidentally heard the
seaman's remark. "Not a bit, old fellow, if you and the young hands
only work as smartly and cheerfully as I know you can do when you have
a mind. Come, my lads, are you all ready forward?"

It is a trying moment both for the sails and yards, when the order is
actually given to commence shortening sail; if the pressure from the
wind be considerable, it is necessary to have men stationed to lower
away the haulyards and ease off the tacks at the proper moment, while
others gather in the sails as they com