Page:Early western travels, 1748-1846 (1907 Volume 11).djvu/41

Rh best Hollands at 14s. and 12s. 6d. per gallon, which they keep sunk in the sea. The captain traded, and thereby saved 100l. per cent. Wind full south, right a-head; rough sea; felt squeamish, not sick.

5th.—In company with the captain, visited Deal Castle, the seat of Lord Carrington, an ancient fortress, and fortified, during the reign of Elizabeth, against the Spanish Armada. Called on Edward Iggledon, Esquire, the American vice-consul. The captain here evinced a laudable, and obliging, yet barbarian curiosity.

6th.—Under weigh at noon. Passed Dover {4} Castle Distinctly saw the coast of France. Parted with our old friends, the Deal smugglers; sea-robbers, whose constant prayer is, "Give us a good south-wester:" a wreckful gale in the fatal Downs. Boarded by Lloyd's agent, who reports the time of coming in and leaving the Downs. Saw two bright light-houses, shining from the South Foreland. At eight, p. m. came on, right a-head, a strong wind on a leeward shore, and a very heavy, swelling, rough, angry sea, such as I had never before seen, alternately lifting me on my head and heels, while in bed. No sleep, all night.

7th.—Both wind and sea more violent than ever; the latter running deep, right over the ship, and falling like claps of thunder on the roof of my cabin. Continued thirty-six hours in bed with but little sleep, drinking neat Hollands, and eating biscuit only, so avoiding sea-sickness, though morally sick at heart.

8th.—Rose at eight. Fine morning, wind N. W. The Isle of Wight a-head. Visited the steerage, a hole unfit for either man or beast. My simple Cambrian friend found himself robbed of his dollars, by the sailors artfully borrowing his keys. Passed the Isle of Wight. At six, p. m., off the Isle of Portland, another tremendous