CHAP. VI.] CAST ANCHOR IN LOUGH SWILLY. 441 



made to attract her attention, bat time was too 

 precious with us now that we were pressing for- 

 ward for our lives ; and about two o'clock in the 

 afternoon, within half an hour of our calculation, 

 the joyful sound of land was announced from the 

 look-out man at the mast head. It was late 

 when we closed it, and being anxious to obtain a 

 pilot, rockets, blue lights, and guns were fired 

 for that purpose, but no one came ; wherefore, 

 trusting to the soundings, we glided silently past 

 the lights of the fishermen's cottage, and near 

 midnight anchored safely in Lough Swilly. 



Fifteen long months had elapsed since that 

 pleasing sound of a falling anchor had greeted 

 us , and when we reflected on what had passed 

 in that interval, and, above all, on the difference 

 which a few hours had made in our prospects, 

 we could not but feel devoutly grateful to Pro- 

 vidence for the mercy which had been vouch- 

 safed us. It was impossible immediately to 

 compose our feelings into tranquillity, and the 

 remainder of the night was passed in a state of 

 feverish excitement. When morning came, 

 with what indescribable delight did we inhale 

 the fragrance and contemplate the beauty of 

 the land. Imagination could scarcely picture a 

 scene so enchanting as to our weary and frost- 

 dazzled sight appeared that soft and lovely land- 

 scape, with its fresh green tints and beautiful 



