"BREAKERS AHEAD." 19 



obtain no "sights/' and, during that period, were 

 obliged in consequence to rely for our position upon 

 the lead line and our dead reckoning. Uncertain cur- 

 rents made this last a method of doubtful depend- 

 ence. 



On the sixth day of this seemingly endless fog I 

 grew rather more than usually uneasy ; but the sail- 

 ing-master assured me that he was certain of our 

 position ; and, with the map before us on the table, 

 he proved it by the soundings. We would clear Cape 

 Race in the morning watch. 



The morning watch found me on deck, and, as be- 

 fore, our position was shown by the record of the lead. 

 The lead was a false prophet, for instead of running 

 outside we were rushing squarely upon the cape. 

 Satisfied, however, by the assurances which I had re- 

 ceived, I went below to breakfast, and had scarcely 

 been seated when that most disagreeable of all cries, 

 — once heard, never to be forgotten, — " Breakers 

 ahead ! " startled us. Upon reaching the deck, I found 

 the sails shivering in the wind, and almost within pistol- 

 shot rose a great black wall, against which the sea 

 was breaking in a most threatening manner. Foiic 

 nately the schooner came quickly to the wind and 

 held in stays, otherwise we must have struck in a 

 very few minutes. As it was, we settled close upon 

 the rocks before the sails filled and we began to crawl 

 slowly off. The spray, thrown back from the sullen 

 cliff, actually fell upon the deck, and it seemed as if I 

 could almost touch the rocks with my hand. We 

 were soon relieved by seeing the dark fog-veil drawn 

 between us and danger. But the danger was, appa- 

 rently, not yet passed. In half an hour the wind died 

 away almost to a calm, leaving us a heavy sea to fight 



