noon on the
6th of November
Things had begun to shake a little into their places and the officers and ship 's company to know something of each other by the time that we had got about three hundred leagues to the westward of Scilly . Instead , however , of keeping to the southward , where we might have found a continuance of fine weather , our captain , in his anxiety quickly to reach the scene of action , notwithstanding the advanced season of the year , ordered a northerly course to be steered . The consequence was that we had soon work to try the mettle of all hands . By noon on the 6th of November we fell in with a gale of wind which would as effectually have blown up the Houses of Parliament as would Guido Faulks and his barrels of gunpowder , if it could have got under them . Sail was shortened and all was made snug aloft in time , hat below many an article took a voyage which terminated in total shipwreck to itself or neighbours . `` Here comes a combing sea in a vengeance ! '' exclaimed Delisle , seizing hold of little Harry to save him from being by chance washed away .