170 A FURIOUS HUKRICANE. [1695. 



furious Hurricane. That dreadful Tempest over-turn'd the 

 greatest part of tlie Hutts, and more solid Buildings of the 

 Island ; all the Plantations were destroyed, and a great 

 number of Trees torn up by the Eoots. None knew where 

 to shelter themselves, and even those that were in the 

 strongest Stone-Houses were hardly secure. 



What then, thought I, must become of my poor exil'd 

 Brethren, whereof one, the Sieur Testard, had but that day 

 let himself Blood with a Pen-knife ? Their vile Hut was 

 carry'd away like a reed, and what remain'd of their Provi- 

 sions, etc. was wet by the Rain and spoil'd ; nay, 'twas a par- 

 ticular Mercy they were not carried away themselves by this 

 Whirl-Wind ; for had not Providence directed them to a 

 Hole in the Eock, or a Cave,^ they had been in Danger. 

 Here they peaceably sung the praises of the Almighty amidst 

 the Tempest, tho' sore afflicted with Hunger, Cold and Sick- 

 ness. They continued there twenty four Hours and above, 



season approaches, all navigation is suspended till the month of April, 



when the fields become green and the whole landscape assumes a more 



cheerful appeai'ance. 



" February. — Violent gales of wind and hurricanes, with thunder. 



These hurricanes, wliich till the year 1789 were constant in this month, 



have since that time entirely ceased ; but the inhabitants have not a 



sufficient dependence on this circumstance as to be wholly unprepared 



for them, in case they should return and renew their former ravages." 



{Op. cit., p. 12.) 



^ " And like a living grave 



Below the surface of the lake 



The dark vault lies wherein we lay, 



AVe heard it ripple night and day : 



Sounding o'er our heads it knocked ; 



And I have felt the winter's spray 



Wash through the bars when winds were high 



And wanton in the happy sky ; 



And then the very rock hath rock'd, 



And I have felt it shake, unshock'd, 



Because I could have smiled to see 



The death that would have set me free." 



(Byron, Prisoner of Chilian., vi.) 



