192 " Voyage of the Novara. 



Syth it had become a gale, which forced us out to sea again. 

 The world-known swell off the Cape began under the ever- 

 increasing wind to run high, and we were soon involved in 

 one of those famous Cape storms which justified the Por- 

 tuguese in calling the promontory of South Africa, " Cabo 

 Tormentoso," or the Cape of Storm.* 



The wind and spray roared and lashed through the rigging : 

 higher and higher rose the huge mountains of water, with 

 their white crests, that tossed the ship like a plaything from 

 side to side. The waves foamed in through the port-holes on 

 the gun-deck, while masts, cordage, timbers, every part of the 

 ship groaned and creaked, a perfect medley of sights and 

 sounds, including woful destruction of crockery, and the heavy 

 rolling of erratic cannon-shot that had broken loose from the 

 rack, and were rushing about the deck — above all which was 

 heard the shrill whistle of the pipe of the boatswain's mate. 

 The scene fairly baffled all powers of description, and must 

 have been eminently impressive for those who for the first 

 time experienced what is meant by " a gale at sea," especially 

 at night, when the moon, struggling through the flying 

 vapours, lit up the appalling scene with a livid supernatural 

 tint. 



On the afternoon of the 28th the gale reached its highest 

 point, and raged fearfully for sonje hours. The frigate proved 

 herself, in this turbulence of the waters, to be thoroughly 



* " Through such mad seas the daring Gama fought, 

 Incessant toiling round tlie stormy Cape." 



{Lord StniiKjford's Camoeiis.) 



