Cooper's Works, Volume 3

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James G. Gregory (successor to W.A. Townsend), 1859 - American fiction
 

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Page 62 - Now is the time to watch her closely, Mr. Griffith," he cried : " here we get the true tide and the real danger. Place the best quartermaster of your ship in those chains, and let an officer stand by him, and see that he gives us the right water." " I will take that office on myself," said the captain ; " pass a light into the weather main-chains.
Page 68 - This warning effectually closed all discourse, and the hardy mariners, knowing that they had already done all in the power of man to ensure their safety, stood in breathless anxiety, awaiting the result. At a short distance ahead of them the whole ocean was white with foam, and the waves, instead of rolling on in regular succession, appeared to be tossing about in mad gambols. A single streak of dark billows, not half a cable's...
Page 240 - ... for the first time, into its proper element. After this evolution, the whale rolled heavily, and seemed to rest from further efforts. His slightest movements were closely watched by Barnstable and his cockswain, and, when he was in a state of comparative rest, the former gave a signal to his crew to ply their oars once more. A few long and vigorous strokes sent the boat directly up to the broadside of the whale, with its bows pointing...
Page 374 - ... powerful swimmer and the struggle was hard and protracted with the shore immediately before his eyes and at no great distance he was led as by a false phantom to continue his efforts although they did not advance him a foot the old seaman who at first had watched his motions with careless indifference understood the danger of his situation at a glance and forgetful of his own fate he shouted aloud in a voice that was driven over the struggling victim to the ears of his shipmates on the sands...
Page 58 - Will she stay, think ye, under this sail ?" said the low voice of the stranger. " She will do all that man in reason can ask of wood and iron," returned the lieutenant ; " but the vessel don't float the ocean that will tack under double-reefed topsails alone against a heavy sea. Help her with the courses, pilot, and you shall see her come round like a dancing-master." " Let us feel the strength of the gale first," returned the man who was called Mr.
Page 67 - Say, also, if the tide would have let us do so," returned the Pilot calmly. " Gentlemen, we must be prompt; we have but a mile to go, and the ship appears to fly. That topsail is not enough to keep her up to the wind; we want both jib and mainsail." " Tis a perilous thing to loosen canvas in such a tempest," observed the doubtful captain.
Page 57 - ... aside, with a lively progress, and, obedient to her helm, was brought as near to the desired course as the direction of the wind would allow. The hurry and bustle on the yards gradually subsided, and the men slowly descended to the deck, all straining their eyes to pierce the gloom in which they were enveloped, and some shaking their heads in melancholy doubt, afraid to express the apprehensions they really entertained. All on board anxiously waited for the fury of the gale ; for there were none...
Page 242 - The warning of the prudent cockswain was promptly obeyed, and the boat cautiously drew off to a distance, leaving to the animal a clear space, while under its dying agonies. From a state of perfect rest, the terrible monster threw its tail on high, as when in sport, but its blows were trebled in rapidity and violence, till all was hid from view by a pyramid of foam, that was deeply dyed with blood. The roarings of the fish were like the...

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