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In Stays.

Putting a square-rigger "in stays" is a much more complicated process than is the case with a "fore and after." In a square-rigged-vessel the mainsail is hauled up. This is done to the accompaniment of much stamping and shouting, and the flapping of the canvas before it is got under control by the clew garnets and bunt lines adds to the anxiety of the novices. From aft comes the cry, "Helm's a lee," responded to from the fo'c's'le head, "Lee ho!" The head sheets are then eased off, and the ship comes up in the wind. She assumes an even keel, and for a few moments there is what my typical passenger would regard as an ominous silence. Then it is "main topsail haul." The braces are let go on what was the lee side, and those on what was the weather side are hauled on. When her head has payed off sufficiently we hear, "Let go the fore bowline!" The yards swing round faster than the watch can gather in the slack of the braces. If the manoeuvre is not likely to be repeated too frequently it is "Down main tack!" "Aft main sheet!" "Haul taut the weather braces!" and, most welcome of all to the watch below, "That'll do the watch!"

The vessel is now heeling over in the opposite direction, causing any articles not secured to roll down to "loo'ard," and adding to the commotion. In such cases it is as well to take the Irishman's advice, who just previous to a ship "going about" shouted out, "Lash your chests, this side'll be the other side, immajetely!"