we might claw off shore. The sea broke over as we lay in
the trough, deluging us with water from the forecastle, aft, to the
binnacles and very often, as the ship descended with a plunge, it was
with such force that I really thought she would divide in half with the
violence of the shock. Double breechings were rove on the guns, and
they were further secured with tackles; and strong cleats nailed behind
the trunnions; for we heeled over so much when we lurched, that the guns
were wholly supported by the breechings and tackles, and had one of them
broken loose, it must have burst right through the lee side of the ship,
and she must have foundered. The captain, first lieutenant, and most of
the officers, remained on deck during the whole of the night. What made
it more appalling was, that we were on a lee shore, and the
consultations of the captain and officers, and the eagerness with which
they looked out for daylight, told us that we had other dangers to
encounter besides the storm. At last the morning broke, and the
look-out man upon the gangway called out, "Land on the lee beam!" I
perceived the master dash his feet against the hammock rails, as if with
vexation, and walk away without saying a word, and looking very grave.

"Up, there, Mr Wilson," said the captain to the second lieutenant, "and
see how far the land trends forward, and whether you can distinguish the
point." The second lieutenant went up the main-rigging, and pointed
with his hand to about two points before the beam.

"Do you see two hillocks inland?"

"Yes, sir," replied the second lieutenant.

"Then it is so," observed the captain to the master, "and if we weather
it we shall have more sea-room. Keep her full, and let her go through
the water; do you hear, quarter-master?"

"Ay, ay, sir."

"Thus, and no nearer, my man. Ease her with a spoke or two when she
sends; but be careful, or she'll take the wheel out of your hands."

It really was a very awful sight. When the ship was in the trough of
the sea, you could distinguish nothing but a waste of tumultuous water;
but when she was borne up on the summit of the enormous waves, you then
looked down, as it were, upon a low, sandy coast, close to you, and
covered with foam and breakers. "She behaves nobly," observed the
captain, stepping aft to the binnacle, and looking at the compass; "if
the wind does not baffle us, we shall weather." The captain had
scarcely time to make the observati