[tag=WDT] □ | □
[tag=WDT] [□] | □
[tag=WDT] □+ | □
Were called up at midnight to slip for a violent north-easter , for this rascally hole of San Pedro is unsafe in every wind but a south-wester , which is seldom known to blow more than once in a half century . The sailor , who only takes his one glass as it is dealt out to him , is in danger of being drunk ; while the captain , who has all under his hand , and can drink as much as he chooses , and upon whose self-possession and cool judgment the lives of all depend , may be trusted with any amount , to drink at his will . Two close-reefed top-sails were all the sail she had on , and every sail and rope was frozen so stiff in its place , that it seemed as though it would be impossible to start anything . Eight hours of the night , our watch was on deck , and during the whole of that time we kept a bright look-out : one man on each bow , another in the bunt of the fore yard , the third mate on the scuttle , one on each quarter , and a man always standing by the wheel . He went to see him , but said that he had so little medicine , and expected to be so long on the coast , that he could do nothing for him , but that Captain Arthur would take care of him when he came down in the California , which would be in a week or more . Some blamed the captain for loading his ship so deep , when he knew what he must expect ; while others said that the wind was always southwest , off the Cape , in the winter ; and that , running before it , we should not mind the seas so much . We had many doubts of the reception he would meet with ; but he seemed to think himself company for any one . At length a compromise was effected , and a middle course , of shifting the ends and backs at every lay , was adopted , which worked well , and which , though they held it inferior to their own , each party granted was better than that of the other . Sumatra ; and God grant he had better care taken of him in his sufferings , than he ever gave to any one else ! She danced for some time with the hat on , when she threw it off , which called forth a general shout ; and the young man was obliged to go out upon the floor and pick it up . He told them what he had heard , and said that he did not believe that they would try to do any such thing as was intimated ; that they had always been good men , - obedient , and knew their duty , and he had no fault to find with them ; and asked them what they had to complain of - said that no one could say that he was slow to carry sail , ( which was true enough ;) and that , as soon as he thought it was safe and proper , he should make sail . It blew a tremendous gale from the eastward , with sleet and snow , and there was every promise of a dangerous and fatiguing night . " This was the most lively part of our work . We had now all got on our " Cape Horn rig " - thick boots , south-westers coming down over our neck and ears , thick trowsers and jackets , and some with oil-cloth suits over all . Fortunately , it rested against the bulwarks , or it would have broken some of their bones . Some said that the captain was frightened , - completely cowed , by the dangers and difficulties that surrounded us , and was afraid to make sail ; while others said that in his anxiety and suspense he had made a free use of brandy and opium , and was unfit for his duty . I felt almost willing to bear the plagues of Egypt for the rest of the voyage , if I could but be well and strong for that one night . By the loss of the sailmaker , our watch was reduced to five , of whom two were boys , who never steered but in fine weather , so that the other two and myself had to stand at the wheel four hours apiece out of every twenty-four ; and the other watch had only four helmsmen . Booms were rigged out , tacks and halyards rove , sail after sail packed upon her , until every available inch of canvas was spread , that we might not lose a breath of the fair wind . - This is the last pull here - No more duckings in your breakers , and slipping from your cursed south-easters ! Toward noon we procured horses , and rode out to the Carmel mission , which is about a league from the town , where from the town , where we got something in the way of a dinner - beef , eggs , frijoles , tortillas , and some middling wine - from the mayordomo , who , of course , refused to make any charge , as it was the Lord 's gift , yet received our present , as a gratuity , with a low bow , a touch of the hat , and " Dios se lo pague ! From this consideration , though I had said that I would have nothing to do with an exchange , I did my best to get some one to go voluntarily . " Sails " ( the sailmaker ) tried to comfort him , and told him he was a bloody fool to give up his grub for any woman 's daughter , and reminded him that he had told him a dozen times that he 'd never see or hear from his wife again .