302 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 



on deck. We had struck a rock forward, a little to star- 

 board of the stem, but the tide had fortunately swung us 

 round clear, and we were drifting on as if nothing had 

 happened. On sounding, we found we were making water 

 rapidly, faster than the pumps could throw it out. True, 

 we had the boats, and our danger was trifling, but the 

 security of the gallant craft was imminent. Not a word o f 

 anger did the captain permit to escape his lips, but accepted 

 all as destiny. Scarcely twenty minutes had we been in 

 this uncertain state when a gentle breeze sprang up and 

 the fog rapidly lifted, giving us an observation, and dis- 

 closing a panorama never to be forgotten. Tier after tier 

 of sterile hills overtopped each other to the north, grand in 

 their bold and fantastic outline while a white sandy beach 

 met the blue water, occasionally interrupted by a reef of 

 rocks jutting out into the azure element. Not over a rnile 

 separated us from the shore ; and projecting headlands shut 

 us in from west and easterly gales ; while a reef of rocks, 

 the extremity of which we had touched, formed a natural 

 breakwater, a mile and a half to the eastward. If so dis- 

 posed, with the wind from its present direction, we should 

 have found it a difficult matter to beat out, and when the 

 skipper informed me that he intended running in and 

 stranding the vessel at the first high tide, I not only highly 

 approved, but was much delighted with the prospect. 

 The welcome word to let go the anchor soon rang forth, 

 and the emblem of faith took hold on firm sand at four 

 fathoms. 



In discussing our early dinner the captain informed me 

 that he intended going ashore to seek out a suitable place 



