her. The crew had
to struggle hard to keep her head above water. Every eye was wildly
fixed on the captain, and every cheek wore a death-like paleness. At
last, away went her fore-top mast, top-gallant and royal-mast, foreyard,
main-royal-mast, main-top-gallant, and main-top-mast; and her mizen-mast
was much injured. In that short moment the cup of bliss was dashed from
our lips, and we lay a complete wreck upon the water; but, the masts
having gone, carrying everything before them, and the ship having
righted, every hand was as instantaneously set to work, and busily
employed in remedying the evils and clearing the wreck. It was imagined
at first that the ship had gone ashore; but, on trying her pumps, it
appeared that she had made no water. We soon discovered that our
misfortune was occasioned by what are termed, in those seas, white
squalls. These come on without any previous indication; and, though of
short duration, are so destructive while they last, that no ship under
heavy sail can stand against them. These squalls are most frequent when
the sky is clearest. They are supposed to be contained in those little
white flying clouds, which, previous to the storm, are seen hovering
over the ship, as though watching to catch the mariners off their guard.

We were again obliged to stand out to sea; but we soon cleared away, and
once more stood towards land. The day was rainy and hazy, when through
the darksome mist we beheld a sail, and soon discovered, to our great
joy, that it was the boat of a Calcutta pilot, who immediately came on
board our vessel. On examining the masts, we discovered that the
maintop-mast would not bear her sails; therefore splinters and stays
were immediately put on. The day brightened up, but the wind blew
strong; so, not being able to discover landmarks, we cast anchor for the
night. The next morning we found that we were so close to land that we
could see men walking on the sea-beach, and distinguish huts and towns
in the distance. We weighed anchor early, and stood towards Saugar, the
wind blowing a smart gale. At one time we approached so near the
breakers that we expected to go ashore, and a few minutes after we
shipped a tremendous sea, the major part of which went over the poop and
through the great cabin windows, carrying trunks, boxes, beds, and
everything before it. I was on deck at the time: the ship's stern seemed
to be fastened, and she shook much; but at last on she went. I have no