APPENDIX. 65 



miles from the Skelligs, we perceived a heavy roll of the sea coming 

 in from the Atlantic : a hazy dulness gradually covered the horizon, 

 and mixed its clear blue with the darker cloud ; the breeze which 

 had hitherto carried us, now died to a perfect calm ; nature seemed 

 at once to fall into a sudden repose, not even the cry of the wild bird 

 disturbed the distant echoes of the caverns, whose hollow recesses 

 sent forth the accumulated wave, as if indignant at the intrusive 

 volumes. 



" The darkness of day is solemn, and the spirits unconsciously 

 flag ; not a fish was moving, aware of the coming change ; the sea- 

 monsters ceased from their prey, and now nothing was seen upon the 

 increasing masses, which appeared causelessly to blend one with ano- 

 ther, but an occasional shoal of porpoises making towards the land. 

 The crew looked at each other, and spoke in Irish, in a low and mys- 

 terious tone ; at length my captain ventured to hint, as the sails were 

 useless and the weight of the masts increased the rolling of the boat, 

 we might as well have all in, and take to our oars. Our compass 

 was duly consulted, that we might not lose in the coming mist our 

 exact position ; there was little or no current, and should we lose 

 sight of land, Valencia might easily be hit. It was on Friday, the 

 effect of superstition was becoming manifest, and it was not difficult 

 to perceive that my little crew, accustomed as they were to the sud- 

 den gales which come in upon this coast from the broad Atlantic, 

 looked as much for approaching danger in the day as the elements. 

 Two hours were laboriously spent in pulling towards land ; but the 

 sea had, as we approached it, increased to a mountainous roll, while 

 a few large drops of rain, and a suffocating heat, betokened the arri- 

 val of the storm. A scudding breeze tipped the surface of the swell : 

 a distant crash was heard, which reverberated around the shores. 

 The oars fell from the hands of my little crew, and each was momen- 

 tarily on his knees, uttering a prayer in Irish, and crossing himself 

 in great apparent agitation. This done, for I would not interrupt 

 their devotion, I began to remonstrate with them on the terror they 

 seemed to exhibit. I found myself utterly mistaken ; there was no 



F 



