This was a heavy press of canvas to pile upon the ship, with the wind where it was, and so heavy a sea running, but the Captain evidently considered--as, indeed, did we all--that the circumstances justified a certain measure of recklessness, for we had all observed that the _Masulipatam_ was, at all events when going free, almost as fast a ship as the _Belle Marie_; and haste was necessary if we would overtake her before she reached her port.
