"Hands, shorten sail!" was now the word.  The watch sprang to their stations, coils of rope were lifted off their pins and flung to the deck; then in rapid succession followed the orders:--"Royal and topgallant halliards and sheets let go; clew up and furl!  Hands by the weather braces; square the yards!  Raise main tack and sheet; man the main clew-garnets, buntlines, and leech-lines; clew up cheerily, lads! Up helm, quartermaster, and let her go off.  So; steady as you go. Hands by the topsail halliards!  Brail in the mizen!  Haul down the flying-jib!  Here it comes!"