WIND STORM IN THE STRAIT. 721 



called Bachelor's Peak, are symmetrically 

 rounded on their slopes, while their summits 

 are jagged and rough. 



On one occasion the Hassler encountered 

 one of those sudden and startling flaws of 

 wind common to the Strait. The breeze, 

 which had been strong all day, increased with 

 sudden fury just as the vessel was passing 

 through a rather narrow channel, which gave 

 the wind the additional force of compression. 

 In an inconceivably short time, the channel 

 was lashed into a white foam ; the roar of 

 wind and water was so great you could not 

 hear yourself speak, though the hoarse shout 

 of command and the answering cry of the 

 sailors rose above the storm. To add to the 

 confusion, a loose sail slatted as if it would 

 tear itself in pieces, with that sharp, angry, 

 rending sound which only a broad spread of 

 loose canvas can make. It became impossible 

 to hold the vessel against the amazing power 

 of the blast, and the Captain turned her 

 round with the intention of putting her into 

 Borja Bay, not far from which, by good for- 

 tune, she chanced to be. As she came broad- 

 side to the wind in turning, it seemed as if 

 she must be blown over, so violently did she 

 careen. Once safely round, she flew before the 



VOL. n. 21 



