564 THE RED TARTANE. 



Gallantly, but hopelessly, did the Spaniards continue the chase until 

 sunset, when the Tartane was several miles a-head. As night drew 

 on she became more and more indistinct, and was finally lost sight of 

 in the increasing darkness ; in fact, during the last hour there had 

 been more attention paid to certain indications abroad that were not 

 to be despised, than the rover's vessel, there being every reason 

 to believe that that scourge of these coasts, " the levant," was coming 

 on to blow. 



The levant is an easterly wind that blows with dreadful fury 

 at particular periods ; the waves do not, however, rise mountains 

 high, its force being so great as actually in a considerable degree to 

 level them with the ocean ; but it requires the utmost care and atten- 

 tion on the part of the helmsman to enable a vessel to resist its ter- 

 rific squalls. If the danger is great during the day, at night it 

 becomes imminent, particularly when beating about near the coast, 

 which in other respects is by no means safe, being surrounded by 



currents running at the rate of four or five miles an hour. * * 



******* * 



It was now midnight j the levant blew somewhat less violently on 

 the rocky coast of La Velda, than at the time of the memorable 

 gale of 97, when every vessel anchored in Cadiz roads foundered ; 

 but it was nevertheless one of those tremendous gales during which 

 seamen turn pale and believe in Providence. 



The stars shone forth brightly ; the waves dashing against one 

 another, disengaged so many thousands of twinkling, blueish, phos- 

 phoric lights, as almost to illuminate this black and vast expanse of 

 water ; and but for the dreadful roaring of the wind, the scene would 

 have been most splendid. 



The two coast-guard luggers were tossing about almost at random 

 on the angry element under reefed mizens alone, the unskilful 

 Spaniards having taken in the gib, fore and mainsails, and lashed the 

 helm ; then becoming paralysed by fear, with incredible cowardice 

 entirely abandoned the decks, the whole of both crews being below 

 either at prayers, or, in the absence of a priest, confessing one another. 

 Confession at sea ! in the midst of a howling tempest when the 

 utmost exertion of human energy is necessary to escape from immi- 

 nent death when the waves break with headlong fury over the 

 vessel, when every moment part of the rigging is giving way, 

 when the masts bend and crack like reeds, when a vast wave dash- 

 ing over the deck, carries with it bulwarks, sails, and boats, con- 

 fession, we must allow, is but ill-timed then ! 



We have said the helm had been made fast on board both luggers, 

 and with a total neglect of discipline and seamanship every soul had 

 left their decks ; the vessels were therefore left absolutely to their 

 fate, which, with respect to one at least, soon proved to be sufficiently 

 tragic. The Shrine of San Josef, from the angle her rudder 

 formed with her keel, bore right down upon the stern of the Bene- 

 diction of our Lady. The terrific shock started the stern-post, transom, 

 and timbers with a most horrible crash, and caused her to spring 

 suck a leak as rendered it extremely doubtful whether she could 

 float even for another quarter of an hour. 



