WRECK OF THE CHALLENGER. 11 



private packet or two, were secured in a cask, to 

 be thrown overboard, with the chance of its 

 reaching the shore, and teUing the fate of the 

 poor Challenger. 



Towards midnight, some officers and men 

 thought they perceived land astern ; and, on the 

 starboard quarter, many were the eyes which 

 eagerly sought out a gleam for their deliver- 

 ance. We now attempted, by means of blue 

 lights and rockets thrown in the direction, to 

 ascertain the existence of land, but without suc- 

 cess. The moon having at length risen, we, at 

 about S 30' A. M., after anxiously watching the 

 dispersion of some heavy clouds, got sufficient 

 moonlight to make certain the sight of land. 

 Those who witnessed that moment will long re- 

 member the joy and emotion which it gave rise 

 to ; for the horrors of the preceding four hours 

 had been surcharged with the torturing appre- 

 hension of lingering death. Dark and despond- 

 ing must be that mind which, at such a crisis, 

 could not derive some solace in the hope of suc- 

 cour from that omnipotent Being, who governs 

 the storm, and alone has the power to save. 



The weather continued dark and gloomy, 

 with occasional drizzling rain, but little wind, 



