Judging from the appearance of the sky at that time, it did not seem probable that the halyards were to be subjected to any heavy strain; but the weather cannot be relied upon, and the carrying away of the throat halyards has lost many a race which a preventer might have saved.
The club-topsail was handled next, in seamanlike style. It is a difficult sail to set properly at any time, and, when spread or dowsed in a fine sailing breeze, has made many a lubber use strong language. This particular piece of duck was mast-headed cleverly and silently, as is always the case in a yacht commanded by an able skipper and manned by a competent crew.
Speculations are indulged in as to the outlook. Yachts about to compete in other classes are criticised, and many sage observations, made by the sailors concerning wind and weather, find their way aft to the quarter-deck, where the owner and his amateur tars are smoking their pipes and discussing and prognosticating the coming events of the day. The parting drag is given to the halyards, the head-sails are made ready, and the anchor is hove short.
It is half an hour before the time announced for the start, and we know that the Chairman of the Race Committee is no trifler and that the preparatory gun will be fired sharp at the hour appointed. The outlook is promising. A fine sou'wester blows, ruffling the blue
