the topsails, and furled the other sails, and made all snug.  But this would not do; the brig was laboring and straining against the head sea, and the gale was growing worse and worse.  At the same time sleet and hail were driving with all fury against us.  We clewed down, and hauled out the reef-tackles again, and close-reefed the fore-topsail, and furled the main, and hove her to, on the starboard tack.  Here was an end to our fine prospects.  We made up our minds to head winds and cold weather; sent down the royal yards, and unrove the gear; but all the rest of the top hamper remained aloft, even to the sky-sail masts and studding-sail booms.

Throughout the night it stormed violently,—­ rain, hail, snow, and sleet beating upon the vessel,—­ the wind continuing ahead, and the sea running high.  At daybreak (about three A.M.) the deck was covered with snow.  The captain sent up the steward with a glass of grog to each of the watch; and all the time that we were off the Cape, grog was given to the morning watch, and to all hands whenever we reefed topsails.  The clouds cleared away at sunrise, and, the wind becoming more fair, we again made sail and stood nearly up to our course.

Thursday, November 6th.  It continued more pleasant through the first part of the day, but at night we had the same scene over again.  This time we did not heave to, as on the night before, but endeavored to beat to windward under close-reefed topsails, balance-reefed trysail, and fore top-mast staysail.  This night it was my turn to steer, or, as the sailors say, my trick at the helm, for two hours.  Inexperienced as I was, I made out to steer to the satisfaction of the officer, and neither Stimson nor I gave up our tricks, all the time that we were off the Cape.  This was something to boast of, for it requires a good deal of skill and watchfulness to steer a vessel close hauled, in a gale of wind, against a heavy head sea. ``Ease her when she pitches,’’ is the word; and a little carelessness in letting her ship a heavy sea might sweep the decks, or take a mast out of her.

Friday, November 7th.  Towards morning the wind went down, and during the whole forenoon we lay tossing about in a dead calm, and in the midst of a thick fog.  The calms here are unlike those in most parts of the world, for here there is generally so high a sea running, with periods of calm so short that it has no time to go down; and vessels, being under no command of sails or rudder, lie like logs upon the water.  We were obliged to steady the booms and yards by guys and braces, and to lash everything well below.  We now found our top hamper of some use, for though it is liable to be carried away or sprung by the sudden ``bringing up’’ of a vessel when pitching in a chopping sea, yet it is a great help in steadying a vessel when rolling in a long swell,—­ giving more slowness, ease, and regularity to the motion.