214 FRAGMENTS OF SCIENCE. 



seemed eroded in a remarkable manner. It has its 

 floods, which excavate these valleys and ravines, and 

 leave those singular ridges behind. Towards evening I 

 climbed the mainmast, and, standing on the cross-trees, 

 saw the sun set amid a blaze of fiery clouds. The wind 

 was strong and bitterly cold, and I was glad to slide 

 back to the deck along a rope, which stretched from 

 the mast-head to the ship's side. That night we cast 

 anchor beside the Mole of Gibraltar. 



On the morning of the 27th, in company with two 

 friends, I drove to the Spanish lines, with the view of 

 seeing the rock from that side. It is an exceedingly 

 noble mass. The Peninsular and Oriental mail-boat 

 had been signalled and had come. Heavy duties called 

 me homeward, and by transferring myself from the 

 6 Urgent ' to the mail-steamer I should gain three days. 

 I hired a boat, rowed to the steamer, learned that she 

 was to start at one, and returned with all speed to the 

 ' Urgent.' Making known to Captain Henderson my 

 wish to get away, he expressed doubts as to the pos- 

 sibility of reaching the mail-steamer in time. With his 

 accustomed kindness, he however placed a boat at my 

 disposal. Four hardy fellows and one of the ship's officers 

 jumped into it ; my luggage, hastily thrown together, 

 was tumbled in, and we were immediately on our way. 

 We had nearly four miles to row in about twenty 

 minutes ; but we hoped the mail-boat might not be 

 punctual. For a time we watched her anxiously ; there 

 was no motion ; we came nearer, but the flags were not 

 yet hauled in. The men put forth all their strength, 

 animated by the exhortations of the officer at the helm. 

 The roughness of the sea rendered their efforts to some 

 extent nugatory : still we were rapidly approaching the 

 steamer. At length she moved, punctual almost to the 

 minute, at first slowly, but soon with quickened pace. 



