AUGUST. 331 



night!" I do not dislike boating, either on sea or 

 river, but, I must confess, I rather prefer the contem- 

 plative part of the business; and on the present occa- 

 sion, seated at my ease, calmed and soothed with the 

 easy gliding motion of the boat, gave way to the most 

 delicious sensations. This seemed really pleasure, 

 and I sank into a profound reverie. A sudden excla- 

 mation roused me, and I thought we were approaching 

 land ; but neither Eamsay, Pembroke, St. David's, or 

 any land, was at all visible a dense fog had suddenly 

 settled down upon the ocean, and we were completely 

 enveloped in its folds. Eor a time we pushed rapidly 

 on, till our rowers pausing, confessed to our dismay, 

 that they were uncertain of their position, and feared 

 we were drifting out of our course. The fog became 

 denser and darker, with all the sullen gloom of a 

 November day ; breakers roared as if close to our bow, 

 and every moment we expected to strike upon some 

 black frowning rock, or without an atom of provision, 

 be hurried past the island towards Ireland ; or forced, 

 uncertain where to steer, to pass the coming night 

 cradled amidst the tumbling billows. Now and then, 

 like a dark minister of fate, an aquatic bird swept past 

 us on rapid wing : but, alas ! silent as the murdered 

 majesty of Denmark, that Horatio vainly abjured to 

 speak. No hope appeared, as the fog still more 

 densely and moodily darkened around us ; our young 

 rowers pulled off their coats, and prepared for the 

 worst ; vainly did my companion lament his rashness, 

 and call a thousand saints, only for that once, to res- 

 cue Mm I seemed left to my fate. Now, in despair, 

 we raised the sail and went before the wind then 

 paused and suffered our idle canvass to flap, lest we 



