328 STORM SCENES ON THE MORAY FIRTH. [CHAP. vn. 



land became terrible. People seemed disposed to run every- 

 where, and no one knew where to run. It was nearly an 

 hour sixty minutes of terrible suspense after the two first 

 boats came into the harbour ere any others came in sight. By 

 and by, however, they began to appear, most of them evi- 

 dently making for the sands opposite and east of the new 

 town of Buckie, some for Craigenroan, a place of shelter 

 east of Portessie. The attention of the Buckie people was 

 chiefly centred in the arrivals at their own shore, as other 

 boats were scarcely seen ; and while their own boats were 

 every now and then, from two to three o'clock, dropping in at 

 home, there was the chance that those running for Craigen- 

 roan belonged to other towns. At two o'clock the storm had 

 about culminated, and as the boats came each in sight (they 

 were only seen a short way off land) there was a shriek 

 from those assembled on the shore, while the utmost anxiety 

 prevailed till they were each ashore and the men landed, 

 every one providing themselves with ropes and what- 

 ever could be supposed likely to be useful in putting forth 

 efforts to save life. The crowd ran from one point to 

 another along the coast to whatever place it was likely the 

 boats would strike, and most enthusiastic were the exertions 

 made by one and all to get the imperilled men out of jeo- 

 pardy, so soon as ever they came within reach. The boats, 

 as they arrived, were secured with mooring-ropes, and a 

 hand or two left to take care of each, while the spare men 

 spread themselves along the beach to assist in saving the 

 lives and property of their fellows in distress. Four boats 

 got safely in. Alas for the fifth ! About half-past two 

 o'clock this fifth boat, like the others, without a stitch of 

 canvas, came in sight pretty far west, and was expected 

 to land in "The Neuk," opposite New Buckie. Tossed 

 mountain high at one moment, and the next down between 

 the gigantic waves, she came along in much the same circum- 



