THE GULF. 21 



of indecision, when it was suspected that we were miss- 

 ing the narrow passage and driving to destruction. There 

 was an instant when we seemed on the point of being 

 overwhelmed by the huge masses of foam which rose 

 like columns on either hand, and took the wind out of 

 the sail. In fact, we gave the southern breakers a very 

 perilous shave ; yet all sat steady, and in another minute, 

 the bar and the gulf were behind us, and we were pass- 

 ing with wind and tide up the river Panuco. 



How beautiful appeared those green and wooded 

 shores — how delicious the perfume from the scented 

 mimosa bushes on the banks — how welcome the sight of 

 the firm land and its habitations ! 



A sail of six miles brought us after dark to the new 

 town. I believe the most heedless of us felt his ,heart 

 swell with emotion of gratitude to God for our deliver- 

 ance. Before us, the setting sun glistened sweetly on 

 all objects — while behind, it lighted up the white bar, 

 over which we could discern the masts of the Halcyon 

 as she stood in relief, against the dark curtain of clouds 

 thickening in the windward. We met a boat load of 

 water going out to her under the care of the supercargo ; 

 but it never reached her, as by the time they got to the 

 bar, the night and coming storm forbade the attempt ; 

 and I may at once mention, that long before dawn, the 

 ill-fated Halcyon, without bread, water, and with all her 

 passengers, save eight, who contrived, like ourselves, to 

 land, had been compelled once more to spread her wings, 

 and to speed on the breath of a second violent norte out 

 to sea ; and that ten days elapsed before we heard of her 

 third approach to the coast. 



This trial was spared De Pourtales, M'Euen, and 

 your humble servant: and we never forgot to bless 

 God, day by day, for it. At the same time we had our 

 trial, being reduced to one shirt a piece, and to a state 

 of great impatience, which is not to be wondered at 

 when you learn that we were here in a position where 

 we could neither advance nor recede, that the period 

 of three short months was all which our other arrange* 



