Page:Awful phenomena of nature (2).pdf/60

This page has been validated.

( 56 )

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 any 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 ſhe ſcudded 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 ahead.

The love of life countervails all other conſiderations in the mind of man. The uncertainty they were under with regard to the ſhore before them which they had reaſon to believe was part of Hyde Alli's dominions, where they ſhould meet with the moſt rigorous treatment, if not ultimate death, was forgotten in the joyful hope of ſaving life, and they 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 them, broke over their ſtern, tore every thing before it, ſtove in the ſteerage, carried away the rudder, ſhivered the wheel to pieces, and tore up the very ring-bolts of the deck-conveyed the men who ſtood at the wheel forward, and ſwept them overboard. Captain C.mpbell was ſtanding, at the time, near