"
All that night the ship flew in darkness before the gale. At daybreak
the wind abated, and the sea went down: the ship was, however, still
kept before the wind, for she had suffered too much to venture to put
her broadside to the sea. Preparations were now made for getting up
jury-masts; and the worn-out seamen were busily employed, under the
direction of Captain Osborn and his two mates, when Mr. Seagrave and
William came upon deck.
William stared about him: he perceived, to his astonishment, that the
tall masts, with all their rigging and sails, had disappeared, and that
the whole deck was in a state of confusion and disorder.
"See, my child," said Mr. Seagrave, "the wreck and devastation which
are here. See how the pride of man is humbled before the elements of
the great Jehovah."
"Ay, Master Willy," said old Ready, "look around you, as you well may.
Do you remember the verses in the Bible? - if not, I remember them
well, for I have often read them, and have often felt the truth of
them: 'They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great
waters, these see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep'."
"But, father," said Willy, after a pause, "how shall we ever get to
Sydney without masts or sails?"
"Why, William," replied Ready, "we must do what we can: we sailors are
never much at a loss, and I dare say before night you will find us
under some sort of sail again.
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