day with a
fair south wind they weighed anchor and sailed west, going close
inshore and barely weathering _Cape Matala_.

{463}{464}

[Illustration]
THE SHIP ON WHICH PAUL SAILED FOR ROME JUST BEFORE THE WRECK.

This very interesting picture is taken from an old book, now long out
of print, "The Voyage and Shipwreck of St. Paul," by James Smith.
Owned by Miss Mary Medlicott, reference librarian of the Springfield
Public Library, and used by her kind permission.

The picture was carefully drawn to show the exact position of the
ship, and is without doubt very accurate. The ship itself was drawn
from ancient models. Four anchors are out at the stern, the two huge
rudders are raised to escape the smashing of the heavy seas, and the
ropes which undergirded the vessel to prevent leaking are shown. The
sailors have just raised the small foresail preparatory to beaching
the ship. A heavy sea is running and the clouds are dark with rain.
The rocky coast is shown near by.
[End illustration]

{465}

Half way across the _Gulf of Mesura_, the wind suddenly shifted to the
north, and, sweeping down from the snowy summits of the Cretan mountains
which towered seven thousand feet above them, struck the ship with the
force of a typhoon. Instantly it grew dark and the sea was a smother of
foam. The terrified crew had not time to furl the heavy mainsail, and
simply let the ship run with the wind. Very fortunately they had a
little better weather under the lee of the small island of _Clauda_, where
they were able to pull in the small boat, which was dragging behind half
full of water, and get control of the ship. Recovering somewhat from the
panic, the crew began to make the best of a perilous situation. It was
impossible to make any near-by port, and the great danger was that the
northerly gale would blow them upon the deadly _Syrtis_ or quicksands of
the African coast. They shortened sail, and got the ship up into the
wind so that, drifting broadside, she made progress west instead of
south. She was leaking, and they passed strong cables underneath her to
hold the timbers together. The next day she was still leaking badly, so
they lightened her by throwing out some of the cargo. The next day after
that, they cast overboard even the ship's furniture. So they drifted
with little or no food, day after day and night after night, seeing
neither sun nor star, despair growing upon their haggard faces. But Pa