During the night it is often the custom to lessen the sails, and particularly to take in the high sails, fore-staff, top-sail, royal, etc.  That is prudent, in case some squall of wind should come up suddenly.  But Dick Sand believed he could dispense with this precaution.  The state of the atmosphere indicated nothing of the kind, and besides, the young novice determined to pass the first night on the deck, intending to have an eye to everything.  Then the progress was more rapid, and he longed to be in less desolate parts.

It has been said that the log and the compass were the only instruments which Dick Sand could use, so as to estimate approximately the way made by the “Pilgrim.”

During this day the novice threw the log every half-hour, and he noted the indications furnished by the instrument.

As to the instrument which bears the name of compass, there were two on board.  One was placed in the binnacle, under the eyes of the man at the helm.  Its dial, lighted by day by the diurnal light, by night by two side-lamps, indicated at every moment which way the ship headed—­that is, the direction she followed.  The other compass was an inverted one, fixed to the bars of the cabin which Captain Hull formerly occupied.  By that means, without leaving his chamber, he could always know if the route given was exactly followed, if the man at the helm, from ignorance or negligence, allowed the ship to make too great lurches.

Besides, there is no ship employed in long voyages which does not possess at least two compasses, as she has two chronometers.  It is necessary to compare these instruments with each other, and, consequently, control their indications.

The “Pilgrim” was then sufficiently provided for in that respect, and Dick Sand charged his men to take the greatest care of the two compasses, which were so necessary to him.

Now, unfortunately, during the night of the 12th to the 13th of February, while the novice was on watch, and holding the wheel of the helm, a sad accident took place.  The inverted compass, which was fastened by a copper ferule to the woodwork of the cabin, broke off and fell on the floor.  It was not seen till the next day.

How had the ferule come to break.  It was inexplicable enough.  It was possible, however, that it was oxydized, and that the pitching and rolling had broken it from the woodwork.  Now, indeed, the sea had been rougher during the night.  However it was, the compass was broken in such a manner that it could not be repaired.

Dick Sand was much thwarted.  Henceforth he was reduced to trust solely to the compass in the binnacle.  Very evidently no one was responsible for the breaking of the second compass, but it might have sad consequences.  The novice then took every precaution to keep the other compass beyond the reach of every accident.

Till then, with that exception, all went well on board the “Pilgrim.”