56 FISHERMEN'S MEMORIAL AND RECORD BOOK. 



you'll ever want to see ag'in. I've been with the old man half-a-doz- 

 en years, and when I see him walkin' and lookin' that way, I make 

 up my mind that som'thin's goin' to happen." 



By this time, the sky had grown inky-black, the wind had veered 

 to the northeast, and was increasing in violence. It began to snow 

 moderately at first, then more fiercely fell the white flakes. The 

 skipper went forward and examined the cable, then gave orders to 

 pay out some ten fathoms or more, which was done. Our lights in 

 the rigging had been lit since sundown, and all about us were the 

 lights of the fleet, looking so prettily, as they danced up and clown 

 with the motion of the vessel. The skipper, upon being asked what 

 he thought, replied : 



" We'll have a tough time 'tween now and. morning, and the watch 

 must keep a sharp look-out for drifting vessels. If the rest of you * 

 want to take a nap, do it now, as there won't be much sleeping a 

 couple of hours from now." 



All hands except the watch, went below at about half-past eight 

 o'clock. I could not remain there, but kept going on deck. It was 

 something new and terrible to me, and as I was well wrapped, I did 

 not suffer much from the wet and cold. But I did feel anxious, and 

 I would have given all I possessed, were I safely at home. But wish- 

 ing was of no avail here I was, and I must take my chance with the 

 rest. We can die but once, thought I, and I began to have serious 

 thoughts. Not that I was afraid of death no, that was not the feel- 

 ing but there was one at home whom I wanted to see, and, holding 

 her hand in mine, I should have been better reconciled. But per- 

 haps it is as well not to tell all my thoughts at that fearful time. 

 We have singular fancies in hours of danger. 



It was now about eleven o'clock. The wind had risen fearfully, 

 the snow came, down spitefully, and the sea rose higher than I had 

 ever supposed it possible for it to rise, and was covered with snowy 

 caps of foam. The sensation of being tossed up and down so vio- 

 lently, together with the darkness and the storm, were not pleasing, 

 and it seemed to me, that every plunge the vessel made would be 

 her last. 



As midnight drew near the gale increased fearfully. I had never 

 experienced anything so terrific before, and the stories which were 

 told on board the mackerel-catcher now assumed a more truthful as- 

 pect. How the winds shrieked through the cordage, and the waves 

 leaped, seemingly impatient to add us to the many victims which 

 have been swallowed up on this treacherous spot ! My shipmates 



