A CffiOUNDSWELL. 



23 



Scarcely had their boat got well out from shore, before 

 the waters swiftly receded, only to be suddenly brought 

 back by a huge wave, swelling in resistless majesty as it ad 

 vanced. As its base touched the bottom of the shoaling 

 water, the top curled into a gigantic comb, and, as it fell for 

 ward, the mighty mass was thrown with deafening roar 

 upon the beach. The boats still lying at their moorings were 

 caught up like feathers, and hurled yards farther inland. 

 With the same -terrific dignity which marked their incoming, 



A Groundswell. 



the waters rolled back, leaving the little fleet in indescriba 

 ble confusion bottom up, or end up, or on their sides, some 

 piled two or three together, others stove in, and not a few 

 wrecked irreparably. Around their boats quickly swarmed 

 the now thoroughly aroused fishermen. Each crew seizing 

 their craft, if happily it could be got at, ran it up the beach 



