159 



HOW, much injured, and obliged to put back 

 into port. Some, we fuppofe, again joined 

 the admiral, and others wholly loft the con- 

 voy. We were among the latter, but when 

 the weather cleared we fell in with a fmall 

 divifion of the fleet, with which we failed int 

 company, for feveral days. Further repeti- 

 tions of the ftorm again feparated us, and we 

 were toffed about, feeing no more than three, 

 fometimes but two, and often only a fingle 

 fliip, until, at length, we found ourfelves quite 

 alone upon the broad and mercilefs ocean. 



Previous to our final feparation we wlt- 

 neflTed a fcene of a moft melancholy and dif- 

 treffing nature. Knowing the exquifite fen- 

 fibility of your feelings, on fuch occafions, I 

 ought to fpare them the fad relation, but that 

 it may exhibit to you one of the dangers of the 

 Xea, in a point of view under which you may 

 not,perhaps,have contemplated it. At the moft 

 iurious and terrific moment of the ftorm, we 

 fuffered the cruel afflidion of feeing a neigh- 

 bouring Ihip in the utmoft danger of being 

 ioft, without having the power of affording her 

 any relief. She hoifted a flag, and fired guns 



