quitting his post, he would undoubtedly have been intent alone upon redoubling there his circumspection and vigilance.
Little suspecting the use about to be made of his absence, and under the pressing calamity of his daughter's illness, and repeated expostulations made to him on that account by her mother, he was at length induced to pen a letter to Government requesting a short leave of absence. Deeply interested in the fate of his child, his intention was to conduct her, with Mrs. De Brooke and her sister, to the shores of England, and thence to Bath; where, on account of the salubrity of its springs, he proposed to remain some time with his family, until the expiration of his leave, when he purposed returning to his post alone, in order to accomplish the remainder of his term.
Receiving a favourable answer to his letter, it being then about the end of October, he lost no time in embarking for England.
The wind was temperate and the sea calm until arrived within some leagues from land, when clouds darkened the horizon, and the gale by degrees became tempestuous. Beating upon the billows, long was the vessel seen combating with the raging elements. A lofty rock, of angular form, jutted itself into the sea, which the utmost maritime skill at-
