( 73 ) 



and an half, our deftrudtion feemed inevitable ; the 

 hearts of the braveft amongft us mifgave them ; 

 for the thunder continued always dire&ly over our 

 heads, and had it ftruck us a fecond time we might 

 have become food for the cod, at whofe expence 

 we had reckoned very foon to make good cheer. 

 Caftor or Pollux, for I know not which of the two 

 was then upon duty, had forwarned us under the 

 name of Feu dc St. Elme *, of all this Fracas, other- 

 wife we might poflibly have been furprized and 

 overfet. 



An hour and a half afterwards the rain ceafed, 

 the thunder feemed at a diftance, and the flafhes of 

 lightning were only feen faintly on the horizon. 

 The wind continued ftill favourable and without 

 bluftering, and the fea became fmooth as glafs. 

 Every one was then for going to bed, but the beds 

 were all wet, the rain having penetrated through the 

 moft imperceptible chinks, a circumftance which is 

 inevitable when a fhip is much toffed. They, how- 

 ever did the beft they could, and thought themfelves 

 extremely happy to be fo eafily quit. Every thing 

 violent is of Ihort duration, and above all a fouth- 

 eaft wind at leaft in thefe feas. It never continues 

 but when it grows ftronger by degrees, and often 

 ends in a ftorm. The calm returned with day- 

 light, we made no progrefs, but diverted ourfelves 

 with fifliing. 



Every thing is good in the cod, whilfl: it is frefli ; 

 and it lofes nothing of its good relifh, and becomes 

 «ven firmer after it has been kept two days in fait ; 

 but it is the fifhers only who tafte the moft delici- 



* Thefe fires never mif? to be obferved on the yards at the 

 approach of a ftorm. 



OUS 



