422 Voyage of the Novara. 



must have been of a far less agreeable nature. The extra- 

 ordinary lightning-like activity displayed by the entire ship's 

 company on this occasion was something wonderful. Each 

 man seemed to have got wings. There was the most laudable 

 emulation displayed by all hands in seeking to save the lives 

 of themselves and others from such a terrible doom. 



On the 30th January, at 7.30 p.m., we anchored in Madras 

 Roads, so dreaded for their insecurity, about three nautical 

 miles from the shore, and in 9 fathoms (56 feet Enghsh). 

 Even in the calmest weather there is a tremendous surf on this 

 coast, and from October to December, in which strong gales 

 blow from the N.E., it is all but unapproachable. For this 

 reason, so soon as the wind increases so as to endanger the 

 ships in the roads, a flag is hoisted on a staff at the Master 

 Attendant's office, that they may put to sea at once. On the 

 second signal, all ships must quit the Roads for fear of being 

 dashed through the surf upon the beach. 



From the city we heard a running fire of musketry and some 

 salutes with cannon, which, considering the prevalence of war- 

 like rumours and movements in the then circumstances of 

 India, made us conjecture that the natives of the Coromandel 

 coast were also in insurrection against the English. How- 

 ever, we learned afterwards that the musketry and salvoes pro- 

 ceeded from the troops stationed near the drilling-ground, who 

 were receiving their general on his return from parade with 

 a salute. The following day (Sunday, the 31st January, 1858) 



