STORM AT ST. RAPHAEL. 



181 



has ventured a short way into the sea ; the "Land Lion" 

 is stationed on the beach. There they stand like apo- 

 cah'ptic animals, and have resisted from time imme- 

 morial the erosive action of the waves. The sea was 

 now dashing against these rocks with fury, rolling 'its 

 waves over them with deafening din and throwing up 

 foam and spray- High above in the blue sk}' countless 

 sea-gulls were soaring. It is a pleasure to watch these 

 brave birds cleaving the air with the long sweep of 

 their powerful wings. The\' sail against the ttind, or 

 hover in one place and shoot downward to the sea to 

 seize their pre^'. T'hen the\' vanish with it into the 

 distance , or settle on the _ , ■ > 



heaving waves — one 

 white spot more , 

 amongst the white 

 crests. Suddenly 

 away out at sea 

 a shoal of dol 

 phins leaps out 

 of the water. The^' raise 

 their heads first, turn a 

 somersault in the air, 

 and then dive down again 

 into the deep. They add 

 a touch of humour to the 

 grand spectacle : they are 

 the clowns of the sea! — The road 

 which follows the shore eastwards 

 from St. Raphael leads past country 



