sent up from the
Commodore, and broke forth, spreading their lurid, baleful light to give
notice to the squadron of their position; then for an instant the whole
scene was lit up with a hideous glare, when all would subside again into
tenfold darkness. This, accompanied by the whistling of the wind, the roar
of thunder, and the booming of a gun at intervals from the Commodore, to
give notice for putting about, gave a grandeur and sublimity to the scene,
which I have never seen surpassed. Fear gave way to excitement; and the
idea of perishing amid this terrible war of the elements was worth years
of the monotony of every-day life. I thought too of the Flying Dutchman,
but did not fall in with him until some time after, and then it was by
day-light, and without the poetry of 'darkness, and cloud, and storm.'

The tempest gradually subsided, and at the end of two or three days
scarcely a breath of wind was to be felt. Angry Nature had changed her
frowns for sportive smiles; the face of the great deep was like polished
glass; but there was a long swell of the ocean, apparently of miles in
length; its bosom heaving and sinking, as if still oppressed with its late
troubles. Our ship lay utterly unmanageable, her sails flapping idly
against the masts. There was not sufficient wind to make her answer the
helm; and there we lay, rolling and plunging, expecting every moment to
see our masts go by the board. The lower yards dipped at every roll; and
so great was the strain, that it drew the strong iron ring-bolts by which
the guns were secured, and the lashings which fastened the large
water-butts broke loose. This was at night; and the power and speed with
which these heavy articles were driven from side to side was truly
terrific. It took all hands the whole night, (and not without great
danger) to secure them. The next day, a new and greater danger presented
itself in a different form. A large ship, about the size of our own, lay
in the same helpless condition; and by reason of a current, or some other
cause, approached so near that it became truly alarming. Both vessels were
rolling their keels nearly out of the water; and had they come in contact,
it would have been certain destruction to both. It was necessary that
something should be done immediately; and the crews of both vessels were
ordered into their respective boats, with lines attached to the ships; and
with several hours' hard labor at the oars, they were enabled to se