away, quarter-galleries stove in, &c. In short, on getting into port,
the vessel was found to be loosened through all her frame, and leaking
at every seam. As far as depended on her good qualities, however, I felt
assured at the time we were safe, for I had seen enough of the Talbot
to be convinced we were in one of the finest sea-boats that ever swam.
But what could all the skill of the ship builder avail in a situation
like ours? With a night full fifteen hours long before us, and knowing
that we were fast driving on the land, anxiety and dread were on every
face, and every mind felt the terrors of uncertainty and suspense. At
length, about twelve o'clock, the dreadful truth was disclosed to us!

Judge of my sensation when I saw the frowning rocks of Arran, scarcely
half a mile distant, on our lee-bow. To our inexpressible relief, and
not less to our surprise, we fairly weathered all, and were
congratulating each other on our escape, when on looking forward I
imagined I saw breakers at no great distance on our lee; and this
suspicion was soon confirmed, when the moon, which shone at intervals,
suddenly broke out from behind a cloud, and presented to us a most
terrific spectacle. At not more than a quarter of a mile's distance on
our lee-beam, appeared a range of tremendous breakers, amongst which it
seemed as if every sea would throw us. Their height, it may be guessed,
was prodigious, when they could be clearly distinguished from the
foaming waters of the surrounded ocean. It was a scene seldom to be
witnessed, and never forgotten! "Lord have mercy on us!" was now on the
lip of everyone--destruction seemed inevitable. Captain Swaine, whose
coolness I have never seen surpassed issued his orders clearly and
collectedly when it was proposed as a last resource to drop the anchors,
cut away the masts, and trust to the chance of riding out the gale. This
scheme was actually determined on, and every thing was in readiness, but
happily was deferred until an experiment was tried aloft In addition to