the gale.

In the ecstasy of my delight and gratitude at such a sudden and
unlooked-for change in our situation I had cried aloud that we were
saved; without waiting to see from what point the gale would come when
it again struck us. Had it happened to have veered two or three points
we should, as a matter of fact, have been just as badly off as before,
for in that case the other headland or horn of the bay would soon have
brought us up. Fortunately, however, the wind came away a trifle more
free for us than it had hitherto been, so that when it again struck us
the ship headed fairly well for the open sea. That sudden break,
however, proved to be the beginning of the end; for though for perhaps a
quarter of an hour it blew as furiously as ever, it then began to
moderate rapidly; and the glorious, unclouded sun rose upon us as we
were once more mast-heading our topsail-yards after loosing and setting
the courses.

The safety of the ship once assured, I went below and entered the chief
mate's cabin, to view the body and assure myself, beyond all possibility
of doubt, of the fact of dissolution. A single look sufficed for this;
for although only some six hours had elapsed since the poor fellow had
been alive and hearty, there was already a distinct discolouration of
the skin, to say nothing of other unmistakable signs that death had
really taken place. Sailors are not, as a rule, given to much
sentimentalism; they are so constantly being brought face to face with
death that in a comparatively short time it loses much of that
impressiveness with which it affects the landsman; but this man had been
a true friend and comrade as well as a faithful servant to me, and I am
not ashamed to acknowledge that the tears sprang to my eyes as I knelt
by the side of the body and offered up a short prayer ere I looked my
last upon him. This done, I returned to the deck and gave the necessary
orders to have the body sewn in a hammock, and made ready for burial
with all expedition.

I was by this time feeling somewhat fagged, having been on deck for
fully twenty-four hours, one-third of which time had been passed in a
state of great anxiety; having therefore answered for the present every
call upon my attention, and satisfied myself that I could very well be
spared for a few hours, I retired to my cabin, giving the steward orders
to call me at four bells, at which hour I had arranged for the burial of
poor Roberts having long befo