[tag=JJ | tag=TO | □] | □
[tag=JJ | tag=TO | □=□] | □
[tag=JJ | tag=TO | □ | □] | □
Sometimes , when I was at the wheel of a calm night , and the steering required no attention , and the officer of the watch was forward , he would come aft and hold a short yarn with me ; but this was against the rules of the ship , as is , in fact , all intercourse between passengers and the crew . The head stays and guys , and the spritsail-yard , were lined , and , having still more , we got out the swinging booms , and strung them and the forward and after guys , with hides . He was polite to every one , spoke to the sailors , and gave four reals - I dare say the last he had in his pocket-to the steward , who waited upon him . Instantly , all hands were turned up , the bow guns run out and loaded , the ensign and broad pennant set , the yards squared by lifts and braces , and everything got ready to make a good appearance . The main body of the mass was , as I have said , of an indigo color , its base crusted with frozen foam ; and as it grew thin and transparent toward the edges and top , its color shaded off from a deep blue to the whiteness of snow .