the souls
of departed seamen, we arrived safely at the Downs, where I gave up
charge to a river pilot, for the other vessels which Bramble and our
companions had taken charge of were all bound to the Downs, and arrived
at nearly the same time that I did, and we had agreed to embark again in
the galley, and run out in quest of the remainder of the convoy. This
we did on the following day, much to the vexation of Bessy, who declared
we only came on shore to be off again. I ought to observe that Bessy
and I had become much more intimate since the explanation which had
taken place; and although it never entered my head that I should ever
feel towards her more than as a brother to a sister, I was pleased and
soothed with the touching proofs of kindness and commiseration which she
took every opportunity of showing towards me.

CHAPTER FORTY TWO.

A HEAVY GALE, A WRECK AND A RESCUE.

We had run out in our galley as far as the Start, when the appearance of
the weather became very threatening. It was just about the time of the
equinoctial gales, and there was a consultation among us whether we
should run into Torquay or return to Deal.

Bramble observed, that as the gale coming on would, in all probability,
blow for three days, he thought it was no use remaining all that time at
Torquay, where we should be put to extra expense, and that we should be
better on shore at our own homes. This remark decided the point, and
about dusk we put the boat's head along shore for up Channel. The wind
was at that time about Sou'-Sou'-West, but occasionally shifting a point
or two. The sky had become covered over with one black mass of clouds,
which hung down so low that they appeared almost to rest on the water;
and there was that peculiar fitful moaning which is ever the precursor
of a violent gale of wind. At nightfall we reefed our lug-sails; and,
while one sat at the helm, the rest of us lounged against the gunnel,
buttoned up in our pilot jackets; some shutting their eyes, as if to
invite sleep, others watching the waves, which now rose fast, and danced
and lapped at the weather broadside as if they would fain have entered
into the boat. But of that we had little fear; our galley was one of
the finest boats that ever swam, and we felt as secure as if we were on
board of a three-decked ship. As the night advanced, so did the wind
increase and the sea rise; lightning darted through the dense clouds,
and for a moment we cou