A SHIPWRECK. ‘5 
some time at this moment struck, and was in- 
stantly swallowed by the waves without a pos- 
sibility of saving her. This terrible sight, and 
the consciousness that the next moment might 
involve us in a similar fate, made every one on 
board gaze in silent anxiety on the direction 
we were taking : even the pilot said not a 
word. 
The twilight had nearly given way to total 
darkness when we reached Portsmouth roads; 
the joy with which we hailed this haven of 
safety, and our mutual congratulations on our 
preservation, may be easily imagined: our pilot 
now fell back into his former phlegm, and seat- 
ing himself with a glass of grog by the fireside, 
received our thanks and praises with equal in- 
difference. 
This equinoctial storm raged itself out during 
the night, and the first rays of the sun again 
brought us fine weather and a fair wind, which 
enabled us once more to quit the English har- 
bour. In no situation are the vicissitudes so 
striking as those experienced at sea. The wind, 
which had so lately attacked us with irresisti- 
ble fierceness, was now become too gentle, and 
