* * * *

A black cloud was over our heads, and we perceived that for some time it
was rapidly descending. The main body then remained stationary, and a
certain portion of it continued bellying down until it had assumed the
form of an enormous jelly-bag. From the end of this bag a thin, wiry,
black tongue of vapour continued to descend until it had arrived half
way between the cloud and the sea. The water beneath, then ruffled on
its surface, increasing its agitation more and more until it boiled and
bubbled like a large cauldron, throwing its foam aside in every
direction. In a few minutes a small spiral thread of water was perceived
to rise into the air, and meet the tongue which had wooed it from the
cloud. When the union had taken place, the thread increased each moment
in size, until it was swelled into a column of water several feet in
diameter, which continued to supply the thirsty cloud until it was
satiated and could drink no more. It then broke, the sea became smooth
as before, and the messenger of heaven flew away upon the wings of the
wind, to dispense its burthen over the parched earth in refreshing and
fertilising showers.

While I was standing at the taffrail in admiration of this wonderful
resource of nature, the main boom jibbed and struck me with such force,
that I was thrown into the sea. Another waterspout forming close to the
vessel, the captain and crew were alarmed and made all sail to escape,
without regarding me; for they were aware that if it should happen to
break over them, they would be sent to the bottom with its enormous
weight. I had scarcely risen to the surface, when I perceived that the
water was in agitation round me, and all my efforts to swim from the
spot were unavailing, for I was within the circle of attraction. Thus
was I left to my fate, and convinced that I could not swim for many
minutes, I swallowed the salt water as fast as I could, that my
struggles might the sooner be over.

But as the sea boiled up, I found myself gradually drawn more to the
centre, and when exactly in it, I was raised in a sitting posture upon
the spiral thread of water, which, as I explained to your highness,
forced itself upwards to join the tongue protruded by the cloud. There I
sat, each second rising higher and higher, balanced like the gilt ball
of pith, which is borne up by the vertical stream of the fountain which
plays in the inner court of your highness's palace. I cast