PEDRO FERNANDES DE QUIROS 73 



N.E., directing its course on the ships with such 

 speed and fur>' that all were obliged to seek 

 safety. The ships received the squall, heeling 

 over on their sides, while the sea rose, seeming to 

 intend to engulph them. The lightning, which 

 traversed the air, seemed to leave the heavens 

 torn. It was a great tempest, with many and 

 very great peals of thunder. Three thunderbolts 

 fell, which caused no small confusion ; while the 

 water did not cease to fall from the heavens, with 

 dark and thick rain, combined with squalls of 

 wind, from which the least harm that could be 

 hoped for was to tear out the masts. They lighted 

 lanterns in the castles to show to the other ships. 

 But terrified voices continued to be heard from the 

 sailors, with cries of "Keep clear! Luff! Keep 

 away I " fearing that there would be collisions. 

 All was hurry, confusion, and trouble, for it was a 

 fearful night, and liie end uncertain. Some cried, 

 " Make sail ! " others, " Sound the well ! " We were 

 ready to cut away the masts, and had up the axes. 

 In short, all was tribulation and anxiety, chiefly 

 because there was no certainty whether there was 

 any safety where the ships were. 



The Father Commissary, with a cross In his 

 hands, stood until the weather cleared, offering up 

 prayers. Then, as the sailors call it, St. Elmo 

 appeared, whom they saluted three limes with great 

 devotion. At length the night came to an end, 



