THE GULF. 



11 



machine ; or that the same lips could pour forth that un- 

 controlled torrent of impure language, in hot vehemence 

 of rage, when the possessor was under the influence of 

 passion. Never did I see before me an example like 

 that here afforded, of the wakefulness of conscience, while 

 the body slept. He never gave himself up to rest like 

 other men. It seemed that his nerves were never un- 

 braced, and his muscles never in complete repose — that 

 the bow was never unstrung. The first impulse of his 

 muscular arm on being disturbed, was to place itself in 

 a position to guard the body ; the first expression of his 

 lineaments was that of suspicion. He never seemed to 

 dream of his innocent childhood, but always of the scenes 

 of his misspent and stormy manhood, and they truly were 

 not calculated to lull his slumbers. 



Thus crowded together and surrounded, it was a bless- 

 ing to be favoured by wind and weather, and to have a 

 reasonable hope of a speedy termination to our voyage. 

 The meals, which occurred twice a day, were hasty and 

 rude repasts, of which, hunger compelling, we all par- 

 took, standing round the raised roof of the after cabin; 

 below decks, it would have been impossible to assist at 

 them. 



Sunday was, of course, in nowise distinguished from 

 ordinary days, by greater propriety of demeanour or 

 calmer temper of mind. We were quite beyond the 

 Sabbath : and the only thing which marked that such a 

 day was entered on the log, was a quarrel, knife in hand, 

 between the supervisor of provisions and the cook, ari- 

 sing from a claim to the honour of mixing the Sunday 

 pudding, upon which each insisted. I forget who gained 

 the victory ultimately, but I remember that the pudding 

 was very badly mixed, and as tough as parchment. 



The morning of the fifth day after quitting the Balize, 

 as I have related, it fell calm. A golden mist hovered 

 over the surface of the sea, and the green colour of its 

 waters betokened our having come upon soundings. 

 The weather, as the day advanced, maintained the same 

 character. Portuguese men-of-war floated by hundreds 



