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Joshua Slocum - Sailing Alone Around The World
vegetable day, sir." "Aye, aye, sir!"
I rambled much about the old city, and a gunner piloted me through the galleries of the rock as far as a
stranger is permitted to go. There is no excavation in the world, for military purposes, at all approaching
these of Gibraltar in conception or execution. Viewing the stupendous works, it became hard to realize
that one was within the Gibraltar of his little old Morse geography.
Before sailing I was invited on a picnic with the governor, the officers of the garrison, and the
commanders of the war-ships at the station; and a royal affair it was. Torpedo-boat No. 91, going
twenty-two knots, carried our party to the Morocco shore and back. The day was perfect - too fine, in
fact, for comfort on shore, and so no one landed at Morocco. No. 91 trembled like an aspen-leaf as she
raced through the sea at top speed. Sublieutenant Boucher, apparently a mere lad, was in command, and
handled his ship with the skill of an older sailor. On the following day I lunched with General
Carrington, the governor, at Line Wall House, which was once the Franciscan convent. In this interesting
edifice are preserved relics of the fourteen sieges which Gibraltar has seen. On the next day I supped
with the admiral at his residence, the palace, which was once the convent of the Mercenaries. At each
place, and all about, I felt the friendly grasp of a manly hand, that lent me vital strength to pass the
coming long days at sea. I must confess that the perfect discipline, order, and cheerfulness at Gibraltar
were only a second wonder in the great stronghold. The vast amount of business going forward caused no
more excitement than the quiet sailing of a well-appointed ship in a smooth sea. No one spoke above his
natural voice, save a boatswain's mate now and then. The Hon. Horatio J. Sprague, the venerable United
States consul at Gibraltar, honored the Spray with a visit on Sunday, August 24, and was much
pleased to find that our British cousins had been so kind to her.
CHAPTER V
Sailing from Gibraltar with the assistance of her Majesty's tug - The Spray's course changed from
the Suez Canal to Cape Horn - Chased by a Moorish pirate - A comparison with Columbus - The Canary
Islands-The Cape Verde Islands - Sea life - Arrival at Pernambuco - A bill against the Brazilian
government - Preparing for the stormy weather of the cape.
Monday, August 25, the Spray sailed from Gibraltar, well repaid for whatever deviation she had
made from a direct course to reach the place. A tug belonging to her Majesty towed the sloop into the
steady breeze clear of the mount, where her sails caught a volant wind, which carried her once more to
the Atlantic, where it rose rapidly to a furious gale. My plan was, in going down this coast, to haul
offshore, well clear of the land, which hereabouts is the home of pirates; but I had hardly accomplished
this when I perceived a felucca making out of the nearest port, and finally following in the wake of
the Spray. Now, my course to Gibraltar had been taken with a view to proceed up the
Mediterranean Sea, through the Suez Canal, down the Red Sea, and east about, instead of a western
route, which I finally adopted. By officers of vast experience in navigating these seas, I was influenced to
make the change. Longshore pirates on both coasts being numerous, I could not afford to make light of
the advice. But here I was, after all, evidently in the midst of pirates and thieves! I changed my course;
the felucca did the same, both vessels sailing very fast, but the distance growing less and less between us.
The Spray was doing nobly; she was even more than at her best; but, in spite of all I could do,
she would broach now and then. She was carrying too much sail for safety. I must reef or be dismasted
and lose all, pirate or no pirate. I must reef, even if I had to grapple with him for my life.
I was not long in reefing the mainsail and sweating it up - probably not more than fifteen minutes; but the
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