SUDDEN GALES ON LAKES. 471 



the seas are short, that is, follow each other in very 

 rapid succession, because the expanse of water on which 

 they are formed is restricted. Thus in narrow sea chan- 

 nels there is always a short chopping sea, whereas 

 in mid-ocean there is a much longer interval between 

 the waves. 



These peculiarities always render going out in small 

 boats under sail on lakes, especially in mountainous 

 districts, a more or less risky matter. In these cases 

 on no account should the sail be made fast, but should 

 always be either held in the hands or so regulated 

 that it can be instantly cast loose. This will at all events 

 minimize the risk of an upset from squalls. As regards 

 the risk of being overtaken by a sudden gale, the only 

 thing that can be done is not to go so far from shore 

 as to prevent a rapid retreat to land in case of need, 

 and above all to get into the habit of constantly watch- 

 ing the sky, and observing the movement of the clouds. 

 If there are mountains, watch the cloud caps if there 

 are any, and whether there is any appearance of fly- 

 ing scud driven up by squalls or gales, setting in upon 

 their reverse slopes, In Table Bay for instance, whose 

 terribly squally nature we have just mentioned, more or 

 less warning may almost always be had by the for- 

 mation of clouds upon the summit of Table Mountain, 

 and the occurrence of rapidly flying scud, or mist sweep- 

 ing over its top or round the shoulder of the hill. 

 This celebrated mountain, we may observe, rises abrupt- 

 ly, almost directly from the margin of the great South- 

 ern Ocean to a height of nearly 4000 feet over sea- 

 level. * The city of Cape Town nestles at its foot, 



* See Brown's South African Guide for the use of Sportsmen, Tour- 

 ists, etc., (London) 1893, p. 123. "The Devil's Peak" a rocky cone 



