prayed that
we might yet further be preserved through the dangers which surrounded
us. Wild and careless as sailors too often are, there are times when
they exhibit a true and unaffected piety, and when they are not ashamed
of exhibiting their feelings to their fellow-men. This was one of those
occasions.

We were all aware that we had passed through a night of great peril, and
we knew that we had, in all probability, many more dangers to go
through, in which all our knowledge, and strength, and bravery could
avail us nothing. Our weakness and helplessness was thus forcibly
brought home to us--our own utter insufficiency to help ourselves. It
is this feeling, which every seaman must at times have to experience,
which has so beneficial an effect on him in turning his heart to God, in
making him, in spite of himself, acknowledge the superintending care of
the Creator.

As daylight came on, we looked round the horizon, more especially to the
southward, but not a sail was in sight. We felt sure that, at all
events, we were not pursued. Had the wind continued from the southward,
we might have fallen in with some homeward-bound ship, but it was not
likely that we should now meet with one. Having assured ourselves that
no change was likely to take place immediately in our prospects, we
served out our frugal breakfast.

La Motte and I agreed that it would be wiser at once to put ourselves on
short allowance, for we could not tell how long we might be kept out.
To this all the rest cheerfully assented. I had for some time been
watching the sky to the eastward. When the sun rose, the wind went
down, but I did not like a wide break in the clouds which suddenly
appeared. The rent I had observed grew larger and larger, till the
whole eastern sky was bright and clear. I felt too sure that it
betokened an easterly gale. I pointed out what I had observed to La
Motte. He was of my opinion.

We were not mistaken. Down it came before long, strong and bitterly
cold, tearing up the surface of the sea, and sending the foam flying
like vast snowdrifts before it. We were almost frozen with the cold and
wet. We wrapped ourselves up as best we could in our blankets and
greatcoats, but even with this aid we were well-nigh perished. We had
no means of lighting a fire and warming up anything by which we might
restore circulation. The gale increased. Away the boat flew before it,
out to sea, away from land, away from all hel