Later that day I called the whole crew together. Because they evidently thought there was someone on the ship, I told them we would search it from end to end. The first mate was angry. He said it was silly to yield to such foolish ideas. It would just make the men depressed and unhappy. He said he would keep them out of trouble with the handspike.

I let him take the helm, while everyone else began a thorough search. Everyone walked side-by-side and carried lanterns. We searched everywhere. As there were only the big wooden boxes on the ship, there were no places where a man could hide. The men were very relieved when the search was over, and went back to work cheerfully. The first mate looked angry, but he said nothing.

22 July. Rough weather for the last three days, and everyone so busy with sails there is no time to be frightened. The men seem to have forgotten their dread. The mate is cheerful again, and everyone seems happy. I praised the men for working well in bad weather. We passed Gibraltar and out through the Straits. All is well.

Vocabulary:

Evidently: Obviously, clearly
Yield: Allow, surrender
Depressed: A sadness you can't lose
Handspike: A heavy, pointed piece of metal
Helm: The steering wheel of a ship
Thorough: complete, not missing anything
Lantern: A candle in a glass box
Relieved: Pleased that a worry has gone
Cheerful: Happy and full of life
Dread: Deep fear
Praise: To say something is very good
Straits: Sea between two pieces of land