Magnus I turned my attention to the
approaching barque, which, by her green-painted hull, I soon enough
recognized as the Lydia. She was struggling slowly onward against
the rapids of Hoy Sound, with the wind on her starboard quarter,
and as we got nearer her I could see the extent of the damage she
had sustained in the late storm. She had lost her fore and main
topgallant masts, and her port bulwarks were stove in. The quarter
boat was missing and her jolly boat was gone.
She came along at the rate of about two knots, under close-reefed
topsails, storm trysails, and spanker. We could hear Captain
Gordon's voice directing the working of the ship, and once I saw
him on the quarterdeck, leaning over the rail to watch us. His head
was bandaged as if from some accident. On the forecastle deck the
mate and some men stood watching our approach, with ropes ready to
throw out to us.
I became inwardly excited when the moment came that was to
determine everything; and even my father was a little pale as he
steered us steadily towards the lee side of the Lydia. We came
within a hundred yards of her when he cried out, "Lower away!" and
I heard the same order given on the St. Magnus.
Down came our sail in quick obedience, and at the same time oars
were put out to prevent the strong stream and the way we had on us
from sweeping us past the vessel.
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