FISIIKKMKN'S MEMORIAL AND RECORD BOOK. 57 



showed no signs of fear ; they were now all on deck, and the skip- 

 per was keeping a sharp lookout. Ben was also on the alert, and 

 had placed a hatchet near the windlass, to bo in readiness should it 

 be deemed necessary to cut our cable. As he came near where I was 

 standing, he very coolly remarked "that if we did not break adrift 

 ouiM'lves, or some other vessel didn't run into us, ho thought we 

 might ride it out." To me it seemed an utter impossibility for any 

 vessel to stand such a gale, but I said nothing. The great danger 

 to be apprehended was from collision, as in case that cither ourselves 

 or some other of the fleet lost their anchor or parted their cable, 

 away they would go with fearful speed ; then if they struck another 

 craft, good-bye to both of them there was not the slightest hope for 

 either. 



- The darkness was impenetrable, and a more dismal night I never 

 passed. How I longed for morning to dawn. Once in a while the 

 storm would lull for a little time, and the snow did not fall so thick- 

 ly ; then we could see some of the lights of the fleet; but this was 

 not often. We knew the situation ere the storm came on, but now 

 we must wait till daylight. The hours dragged heavily along anx- 

 ious hours they were. They are indelibly impressed on my memory, 

 and will not be effaced until death claims me. During the night, a 

 large vessel passed quite near us. We could see her lights, also her 

 spars and sails, as she sped swiftly along on the wings of the storm. 

 Glad enough were we, to have her pass us, and I trembled at the 

 thought of our fate, had she struck our little craft. When I learned 

 of the terrible disaster of the gale, I came to the conclusion that this 

 vessel was the cause of some portion of it. 



At length the east began to lighten ; morning was coming. What 

 a relief it was when the day dawned ! Our danger was not over, for 

 the gale still continued, but there was a comfort which the light 

 brought, that did me good. The fearful darkness of the night, and 

 that terrible uncertainty was relieved, as we could now see our posi- 

 tion, and could now the better guard against the threatening dangers. 

 Our vigilance was not relaxed. We had something to eat, and then 

 kept up our watching, for the storm still continued its fury. Some- 

 where about nine o'clock, the skipper sang out, " There's a vessel 

 adrift right ahead of us ! stand by with 3*our hatchet, but don't cut 

 till you hear the word 1 " 



Ben was there at his post. lie could be trusted at such a time, and 

 would await orders this all on board knew full well. All eyes were 



