About 6 P.M.
One evening , we were spanking along with the wind in that quarter , with a heavy confused sea , when a thick gloom gradually overspread the sky , and the mercury , falling in the barometer , gave warning of approaching bad weather . All our small sails were taken in , and every necessary precaution adopted to prepare for a change . Our topsails were reefed , and the mainsail was hauled up and handled . About 6 P.M. Captain Fleetwood came on deck , and asked what I thought of the weather . `` Bad enough , sir ; it does not seem to have made up its mind what to do ; however , we are tolerably well prepared for a change , whichever way it may be . '' `` You must keep a sharp look-out , Musgrave ; if it should begin to rain , depend upon it , the wind will chop suddenly round to southward . You must not let it take you unawares . ''