FRESH HALIBUT FISHERY. 57 



with the current, every moment still farther away, we saw the poor fellow rise to the surface, 

 struggle for a few seconds, and then, buried beneath a huge wave, disappear forever from mortal 

 sight. Sad, indeed, were the faces of our crew when it became known that we had lost a man. 



However, we had but little time to indulge in regrets or sorrow, for the gale, which had then 

 increased to a furious hurricane, compelled us to make extra endeavors for the safety of the vessel 

 and our own lives. She hawsed up so badly soon after the event just described that we were 

 compelled to set the riding-sail to keep her more nearly head to the sea. We reduced the size of 

 the sail as much as was practicable, by making a "bag reef" in it. This was done by tying up the 

 clew and lashing the bottom hoops together, which^ being done we hoisted it up a little before 9 

 o'clock a. m. 



Shortly after the riding-sail was set we had a succession of tremendously heavy snow squalls, 

 which blew with a fury I never before saw equaled or even approached during an experience of thirty 

 years' battling with the Atlantic storms, while the snow was so dense that, when we were in the 

 hollow of a sea, the top of it could scarcely be seen. The vessel quivered and trembled like a 

 stricken dolphin, as she struggled witli great apparent effort up the steep sides of the mountainous 

 waves, which threatened to bury her beneath their curling crests. Even with the small sail which 

 we had set, a mere rag in size, and lying almost head to the wind, she buried her lee side nearly 

 to the hatches. To walk against the blast was out of the question, and all one could do was to 

 haul himself along by the life-lines or cling to the rigging for safety. She plunged so heavily 

 into the waves that the jib was soon washed loose from the bowsprit. While I was in the cabin 

 after a rope to secure the jib, a second heavy sea boarded us, breaking over the port bow, covering 

 our little vessel nearly out of sight beneath a deluge of rushing water and flying spray. When 

 the men on deck saw it coming they sprang for the rigging. Two of them, who got upon the 

 fore-gaff, held on to the peak halyards, clinging to the ropes with their hands and legs. The 

 sea broke so high that both of these men were nearly washed clear of their hold, although they 

 were eight or ten feet above the deck, which was filled with water nearly to the top of the rails, 

 compelling us to knock off some waist boards so that the vessel would clear herself. 



Between the squalls we managed to secure the jib, though it was extremely hazardous going 

 out on a bowsprit in such a gale. The squalls had the most terrifying appearance that I ever 

 witnessed, as they came tearing down from to windward. Black as night and driving a line of 

 white foam before them, they were an awful sight, and enough to strike terror to the hearts of 

 those who never before had felt a sense of fear, and who, even then, when death was imminent, 

 bravely faced the storm, disdaining to flinch from the peril which duty and self-preservation called 

 them to meet. 



Fearing the cable would part, and feeling sure that the vessel would be knocked down on her 

 beam ends if she fell off with the least bit of sail set, I stationed myself at the mainmast, when- 

 ever the squalls came along, ready to let the riding- sail run down if necessary. When the fourth 

 squall was coming I took my usual position, standing on the bitt-head of the fife rail with my right 

 foot, and grasping the riding-sail halyards with my right hand. While I was standing in this 

 position, and m the midst of a flurry of flying snow, a lightning bolt burst between the masts. 

 I was struck by it and knocked insensible to the deck. Others of the crew were slightly shocked. 

 As soon as they could, the men who were on deck picked me up, thinking I was dead, and carried 

 me below. 



I would not speak of the intense suffering which I endured for four hours hours of dreadful 

 agony while I was being resuscitated, were it not to mention the conduct of my men, all of whom 

 showed great devotion and nobleness of spirit. Though in almost momentary expectation of death 



