. Spunyarn and spindrift : a sailor boy's log of a voyage out and home in a china tea-clipper. s was asleep, when we heard a sharp cry of Man overboard ! followed by the sound of rushingfootsteps on the poop. There was a terrible scene of confusion when we goton deck, some running one way and some another ; butMr. Harveys voice soon brought everybody to theirsenses, as he shouted out his orders in rapid succession ;and the first excitement being over, our watch bracedthe head-yards sharp up, and the others set to work tolaunch the port gig, which was kept, like the other boats,securely lashed
. Spunyarn and spindrift : a sailor boy's log of a voyage out and home in a china tea-clipper. s was asleep, when we heard a sharp cry of Man overboard ! followed by the sound of rushingfootsteps on the poop. There was a terrible scene of confusion when we goton deck, some running one way and some another ; butMr. Harveys voice soon brought everybody to theirsenses, as he shouted out his orders in rapid succession ;and the first excitement being over, our watch bracedthe head-yards sharp up, and the others set to work tolaunch the port gig, which was kept, like the other boats,securely lashed down, bottom upwards on the skids. LAUNCHING THE BOAT. 187 What a time it seemed to me—though very Hkely itonly took a few minutes—before the boat was partlaunched, part thrown over the side, and those who werenearest scrambled in, while the oars were flung in afterthem. Give us something for a plug ! shouted Barrett,v/ho was one of the boats crew. Take this belaying-pin and ram it in the hole! replied the mate, flinging one into the boat; and now shove off, for Gods sake ! Mr. Locke !. Sir. Pull away out on the weather-quarter. Ill burnblue lights, one on the forecastle-head and one rightaft, until you come back. Ay, ay, sir ! Give way, men ! Tell me, for Heavens sake, who is overboard 1 Iheard the captain ask in an agitated voice of the manwho was at the wheel. The poor little boy—Baby, sir—and somebodyjumped in after him ; I dunno Im sure who it was. 188 SPUNYARN AND SPINDRIFT. My heart almost stopped when I heard this, and I feltquite stunned and dazed with horror. I have a very indistinct notion of what took place forthe next few minutes, though that weird scene, as theglare of the blue lights shone on the set features of thecrew, who were gazing fixedly in the direction the boathad taken, will be for ever imprinted on my memory. Oh, what a time it seemed before we heard the faintsound of oars in the distance, and shortly afterwards sawthe boat come dashing out of
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Keywords: ., bo, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, bookidspunyarnspindrif00brow
