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Mackerel Trolling. 193 a horizontal direction across the sky and formed flaming frfnges round the rich folds of clouds in the curtain. At other times the flashes made the whole curtain transparent like a veil. Still the storm was at some distance ; the thunder rumbled faintly, and the sea rolled as far as we could see in long bright waves, but they appeared as if coloured by blood or wine, for the sun was setting in red clouds, the colour of which was reflected in the sea. But it was apparent that we could not escape the storm ; the seas in creased, the current carried us towards land, and only now and then a gust of wind filled our sail. By the last glimmer of the day we 3aw on the distant ridge of the horizon a black streak approaching us, the nearer it came the plainer appeared the white fringe of foam which came driving on before it. The storm and the dark night were upon us. Like an arrow the boat sped on, and before long we were by the outside skerries, where the sea-birds, disturbed at the constant flashes of lightning and claps of thunder, wheezed and screamed and flew about in swarms like white clouds. But their screams sounded faint amongst the breakers. The islands and skerries afforded us some shelter from the heavy seas, but further on towards the shore, where the sea broke upon it, they grew again, and by the light of the flashes of lightning we saw along the whole coast high foaming breakers, the roaring of which thundered in our ears'. Rasmus kept a sharp look-out in this darkness, which appeared almost impenetrable; I could not distinguish anything but the broad white fringe of foam, which we were approaching with an alarming speed. Shortly I discerned a small dark point, for which we steered, and in a few moments we passed among the surf and breakers through the narrow sound by the Ullenhead, and reached in safety the peaceful harbour, where the high clifFs sheltered against storm and sea. o