A NATURAL HAKBOUR. 155 



hoary-headed seas were seen to the south-east, and it 

 was evident that something stiff was coming up. Every- 

 thing was snug when this sudden squall, which came 

 hissing on with white horses in its wake, struck us. 

 It soon increased, and, with the exception of having 

 a lee shore, everything seemed to predict a repetition 

 of what we had gone through but a few days since. 

 The coast was rocky, and in most places precipitous. 

 It was resolved to make for one of the points of Cape 

 Maclear about five miles ahead, and try to get 

 shelter there, but failing this, to run to the lee side of 

 Tumbi or Domwe Island, till the approaching storm 

 should have bloAvn over. 



On rounding the point, which we experienced 

 some difficulty in Aveathering, a high sea running at 

 the time, a beautiful little harbour, with a sandy beach 

 of about a hundred, yards, presented itself. Great 

 rocks on both sides of the beach, jutting out some 

 distance to sea, formed a natural harbour that the 

 cleverest engineers would have found it difficult to 

 match. Outside of this the sea was raging, within 

 it was smooth as a pond. The sudden appearance 

 of tliis charming little spot, as we flew round the 

 rocky point, which from its contour, as well as 

 that of the coast we were making, gave no hope of 

 shelter, elicited a hearty cheer from all on board. 

 So we put in here, and though it was blowing 

 hard, the atmosphere was clear, and the sun shining 

 on us ; the high mountains at our back affording per- 

 fect shelter from the wind that roared above their 

 heads and ours. Everyone set to work to make him- 

 self at home till a fair wind should again favour us, 



