Narroio Escape from Collision. 25 



and almost tangible darkness prevailed ; thunder, lightning, 

 and occasionally strong easterly squalls, raged furiously, and 

 only subsided towards the morning, when it cleared up with 

 fresh southerly breezes. Not being far from Cape de Gatt, on 

 the Spanish coast, prudence required us to change course, 

 and, during the continuance of stormy weather, to keep at a 

 respectful distance from the shore. Here a merchantman, 

 apparently an American, bore down so close upon us, that, in 

 the darkness, an unpleasant collision seemed unavoidable. 

 However, we tacked about, and thus, fortunately avoiding our 

 dangerous neighbour, safely proceeded on our course. 



It is truly astonishing how often merchantmen, entirely 

 forgetful of their own safety, from want of caution, or presump- 

 tion, or it would occasionally seem, sheerly from acting upon 

 peculiar and abnormal principles of navigation, wantonly expose 

 ship, men, and cargo to many dangers, which might easily be 

 avoided, particularly in cases where no tacking is required, and 

 only a slight touch of the rudder would suffice to prevent a 

 collision, which is always attended with danger to the smaller 

 ship. In this respect the North Americans are very unplea- 

 sant neighbours on account of their national vanity, and the 

 Dutch for their phlegmatic temperament and the indifference 

 they evince on such occasions. 



On the 18th of May, the small rocky island of Alboran, in 

 the narrow part of the sea between Africa and Spain, was 

 observed; being flat and without vegetation, it is scarcely 

 perceptible, and the land-fall during the night should be 

 carefully avoided. The erection of a lighthouse on this island 



