Next, the standing rigging was set up after being first shortened; and Adze had a good deal of blacksmith's work to do in making fresh bolts and eyes, converting Cuffee's galley into a temporary forge for this purpose. All the ropes and blocks having been carefully collected beforehand and sorted, this labour did not consume half the time that one would have thought. On the fifth day, the mizzen-mast was also got back into its place. Then the yards were crossed and sails bent on the mainmast; and the _Josephine_ appeared to show nearly as much top-hamper as she did before the gale, only that all the masts were much shorter than before, the foremast especially being only an apology for the former spar. However, the change made a wonderful improvement in the appearance of the ship; and when the broken bulwarks were patched up, which was done on the last day of the week, she was herself again. On the Sunday that followed the righting of the ship we had our prayers on the poop as usual, Captain Miles returning especial thanks to the great Ruler of the deep for all the mercies we had received; and, as a fair wind sprung up in the evening of the same day from the south, we set sail once more, moving away from the spot where we had been refitting. "I don't think," said Captain Miles, "that we've drifted twenty miles either way since this day week; for there's no current hereabout, and we've had little or no wind." "We're then still about the centre of the Sargasso Sea," observed Mr Marline. "Aye," responded the other; "so Master Tom will have ample opportunities within the next fortnight or so for studying all you told him about the Gulf-weed, for I've no doubt we'll presently pass through lots of it." "Shall you shape a straight course for the Channel, sir?" asked the first mate, looking at his watch as he did so in a very self-satisfied sort of way, it seemed. "You may well observe that time-piece of yours carefully," said the captain with a sigh, although he smiled as he spoke. "On that little article depends all our navigation--that is, until we meet with some passing vessel to correct our reckoning, and I don't suppose we shall come across many of these, for we're out of the track of all voyaging over this part of the Atlantic save those homeward-bound from the Cape. I intend to make for Flores, the westernmost island of the Azores, as we're short of water; besides, by my pursuing that course we shall get up into the trades, and bye and bye fetch the Gulf Stream, which will render our passage shorter to the Channel." "Very well, we'll see," said Mr Marline, unconsciously using his old stereotyped form of answer to almost everything. "I believe," cried Captain Miles laughing, "that if anybody asked you to accept a thousand pounds you'd reply, `I'll see about it!'" "You just try me and see," replied the first mate drily to this remark, joining in the captain's laugh; but I noticed that the other did not take up the offer.