ordered his gig to be manned that he might go on shore with his
first lieutenant, Mr. Swan, and some other officers, whom he had
invited to dine with him under a tent. The bustle of their departure
from the ship was soon over, and again all was still. The captain and
officers had scarcely landed and seated themselves at table, when a
roaring sound was heard, at first distant, but becoming louder and
louder every moment, and before they could conjecture the cause, the
canvass of the tent was almost torn from its fastenings by the sudden
violence of the wind.

Every one thought first of the Sheerness, and rushing from the tent a
scene presented itself to their gaze little calculated to diminish
their alarm for the ship.

The sea, which a few minutes before had been smooth as a polished
mirror, now displayed a picture of terrific grandeur; the waves,
crested with foam, rolled and tossed over one another in wild
confusion, whilst the roaring of the winds, and the torrents of rain,
added to the awful sublimity of the scene. Lord George, though aware
of the imminent danger to which he exposed himself, determined at all
risks to get on board his ship. Without a moment's delay he collected
the crew of the gig, and pushed from the shore towards the
vessel--himself steering the boat, whilst Lieutenant Swan pulled the
bow oar. The wind had now increased to such a hurricane as is only
known in tropical climates, and the waves threatened every instant to
engulf the frail bark. As they advanced, the danger became more and
more urgent; the sea broke over them continually; nevertheless, they
persevered, and strained every nerve to effect their object.

The stunning roar of the hurricane prevented any communication except
by signs, and several times the wind caught the oars with such force
that the men could scarcely retain their seats. In vain were all
their efforts:--

The winds arise,
The thunder rolls, the forky lightning flies;
In vain the master issues out commands,
In vain the trembling sailors ply their hands,
The tempest, unforeseen, prevents their care,
And from the first they labour in despair.
Dryden.

The boat filled with water three times, and became so nearly
unmanageable, that they saw it would be impossible to gain the ship,
and they bore up to the west part of York Island, from whence they
waded to the shore, but so exhausted from the fatigue they had
undergon