340 CONCLUSION. 



noticed this signal, and bore down to him. This was not done without 

 some trouble, though, for the waves — swollen into huge masses, and tipped 

 with frothy foam — careered hither and thither in the most uncertain way 

 possible, so that it was difficult to know how to take them. Then the 

 Bailors were almost blinded by the spray, which was driven before the wind 

 like drift-sand. But the Sailor's Friend — the pluckiest thing of its kind 

 afloat — served the St Croix with a warp, though she was floundering near 

 the breakers ; and then flew away like a bird before the wind. The one man 

 on board hauled with what strength he had until he secured the warp, and 

 the vessel, though tossing and heaving fearfully, was made secure. As, 

 however, it was not deemed prudent at this juncture to let the man remain 

 on board, the life-boat bore down to her and took him off. This little feat 

 was not unattended with danger either, for a cargo-boat, which had just 

 before broken from her moorings, was tossed from one wave to another 

 until it came within fifty yards of the life-boat, which was at this time near 

 the bows of the St Croix. For a moment both were lost in a trough of a 

 sea ; and when they were next seen the cargo-boat was within ten feet of 

 the bows of the life-boat ; suddenly, however, a huge wave took her by the 

 keel and hove her, as it seemed to us, right over the lifeboat — for, as they 

 rose on the crest of the next wave, the ca,rgo-boat was seen just astern of 

 the lifeboat, which now sped as fast as stout hearts could ply their oars to 

 the Breakwater, which she reached in safety. The cargo-boat, which be- 

 longed to the Union Company, now dashed on till her progress was stopped 

 by the sea-wall. Here some three or four boatmen jumped aboard of her 

 and made her fast. One other cargo-boat, belonging to the Algoa Bay 

 Company, we believe, drifted ashore, but whether either of them sustained 

 much damage we "have not heard. The events which we have been 

 chronicling took place on Wednesday morning ; and we may as well men- 

 tion that the roads generally, and the stores on the east side of Main Street 

 particularly, suffered to some considerable extent from the rains of the 

 previous night. 



" But what had happened up to this time was as nothing to that which 

 was to follow. The leaden aspect of the sky all around betokened a storm of 

 a yet more violent character. But from what point of the compass it would 

 come no one could tell. But that it would come seemed inevitable, and 

 what could be done in the way of clearing drains and making all secure was 

 done, not only by the municipality people, but by all who had property to 

 protect. Towards evening the wind veered more to the south-west, and 

 moaned in fitful gusts, as if impatient of restraint. The rain, which came 

 gently at first, increased by degrees until it fell down in sheets. This was 

 about nine o'clock, and all around was dark as Erebus. Presently the 

 lightning began to flash in vivid sheets, and the distant rumbling of 

 thunder, mingling with the roar of breakers on the shore, was enough to 

 make the stoutest heart shudder. There was not a house, probably, in 

 the town that was proof against the inroads of the storm. How long would 

 it last 1 seemed an anxious question. Would the wind, which had now 

 increased to a gale, beat it down 1 There was a fierce conflict for the 

 mastery, but both held on with unabated violence. Asmidnight approached 

 the thunder and lightning ceased, but still that dismal hollow roar upon the 

 beach was heard mingling with the rushing, shrieking, howling storm, in 

 fearful chorus. At this time anxiety for the safety of the shipping was 

 intense. The Port-office people were on duty, but we fear had their sevvicus 



