Page:Melancholy consequences of two sea storms.pdf/8

(8) overwhelmed and filled her with water, and every one on board concluded that she was certainly sinking. On the instant, a Lascar, with a presence of mind worthy an old English mariner, took an axe, ran forward and cut the cable."

On finding herself free, the vessel again floated and made an effort to right herself; but she was almost completely water-logged, and heeled to larboard so much, that the gunnel lay under water. They then endeavoured to steer as fast as they could for the land, which they knew could not be at an great distance, though they were unable to discover it through the hazy weather: the fore-sail was loosened; by great efforts in bailing, she righted a little, her gunnel was got above water, and the fendded as well as they could before the wind which still blew hard on shore; and about two o'clock the land appeared at a small distance head.

The love of life countervails all other considerations in the mind of man. The uncertainty they were under with regard to the shore before then, which they had to reason to believe was part of Hyd Al's dominions, where they should meet with the most rigorous reatment, if not ultimate death, was forgotten in the joyful hope of saving life, and then scudded towards the shore in all the exulting transports of a people just snatched from the jaws of death.

"This gleam of happiness, however, continued not long: a tremendous sea rolling after the broke over their stern, tore every thing before, stove in the steerage, carried away the rudder, vered the wheel to pieces, and tore up the v ring-bolts of the deck-conveyed the men who steered at the wheel forward, and swept them overboard. Captain Campbell was standing, at the time, n