The buoy was rounded in the order given above, and as the wind had been increasing rapidly the crews were now called on to show their smartness in handing in the wind persuaders and substituting second jibs and working foresails for the close-haul out to the Kish. Those who know what the face of the waters is like off the Kish Bank when a hard easterly wind has set in will have some idea of the kind of business that was being transacted on this occasion, on the outward journey. Soon it became evident that topsails were altogether out of place, and those who had shifted ballooners for small square-headers had to take them in again and house their topmasts. The 'Xema' alone held on, though it could easily be seen that her topsail was not helping her at all. She had quite trouble enough too, as it turned out, without having useless top-hamper aloft, for her weather bowsprit shrouds began to show such signs of distress that it became necessary for her to hand in her head-sail and set a small jib. The 'Amberwitch' was heeling and toeing it to such an extent that, by sagging away to leeward, it became quite clear she was by no means having things her own way. The 'Xema,' on the other hand, notwithstanding her sail-plan, coming up under the 'Kilmeny's' lee, was forereaching well on her, when a further trouble overtook her in the parting of the main outhaul, and the traveller coming in as far as the reef battens--there were no outhaul horses in 1868--left the mainsail in a bag, a misfortune which was at once taken advantage of by the 'Kilmeny,' who promptly gave her the go-by. The 'Vampire' had quite as much as she liked with the broken sea she had to drive through, but it would have rejoiced the heart of the late Mr. Dan Hatcher, her builder, had he seen the way in which his little vessel stepped it out to windward and held her own with her larger sisters. The Kish was passed by the 'Kilmeny' as leader of the van, and she was followed by the 'Xema,' 'Amberwitch,' 'Echo,' and little 'Bat' in the order named. Now that they had rounded the lightship topmasts were sent on end again by all, with the exception of the 'Echo,' whose crosstrees had come to grief; square-headers were once more seen aloft, and sheets were checked well off for the run to the harbour. On nearing the piers the wind lightened as quickly as it had got up; it left the leading yachts almost becalmed, and only just able to gybe round the mark.