gradually arising into mountainous waves. Often would he traverse the
deck amid the still hours of midnight, when the moon silvered over the
liquid surface: "Bright luminary of the lonely hour, he would say, that
now sheddest thy mild and placid ray on the woe-worn head of fortune's
fugitive, dost thou not also pensively shine on the sacred and silent
grave of my Melissa?"

Favourable breezes wafted them for many days over the bosom of the
Atlantic.--At length they were overtaken by a violent storm. The wind
began to blow strongly from the southwest, which soon increased to a
violent gale. The dirgy scud first flew swiftly along the sky; then dark
and heavy clouds filled the atmosphere, mingling with the top-gallant
streamers of the ship. Night hovered over the ocean, rendered horrible
by the intermitting blaze of lightnings, the awful crash of thunder,
and the deafening roar of winds and waves. The sea was rolled into
mountains, capped with foaming fire. Now the ship was soaring among the
thunders of heaven, now sunk in the abyss of waters.

The storm dispersed the fleet, so that when it abated, the ship in which
Alonzo sailed was found alone; they, however, kept on their course of
destination, after repairing their rigging, which had been considerably
disordered by the violence of the gale.

The next morning they discovered a sail which they fondly hoped might
prove to be one of their own fleet, and accordingly made for it. The
ship they were in pursuit of shortened sail, and towards noon wore round
and bore down upon them, when they discovered that it was not a ship
belonging to their convoy. It appeared to be of equal force and
dimensions with that of their own; they therefore, in order to prepare
for the worst, got ready with all speed for action. They slowly
approached each other, manoeuvering for the advantage, till the strange
ship ran up British colours, and fired a gun, which was immediately
answered by the other, under the flag of the United States. It was not
long before a close and severe action took place, which continued for
three hours, when both ships were in so shattered a condition that they
were unable to manage a gun.[A] The British had lost their captain, and
one half their crew, most of the remainder being wounded.----The
Americans had lost their second officer, and their loss in men, both
killed and wounded, was nearly equal to that of the enemy.

[Footnote A: The particulars of this actio