308 



MY LIFE 



[Chap. 



morning the wind abated, but the ship, which is a very old 

 one, took in a deal of water, and the pumps were kept going 

 nearly the whole day to keep her dry. During this gale the 

 wind went completely round the compass, and then settled 

 nearly due east, where it pertinaciously continued for twelve 

 days, keeping us tacking about, and making less than forty 

 miles a day against it. Three days ago we had another gale, 

 more severe than the former one — a regular equinoctial, which 

 lasted two entire days and nights, and split one of the newest 

 and strongest sails on the ship. The rolling and plunging 

 were fearful, the bowsprit going completely under water, and 

 the ship being very heavily laden with mahogany, fustic, and 

 other heavy woods from Cuba, strained and creaked tre- 

 mendously, and leaked to that extent that the pumps were 

 obliged to be kept constantly going, and their continued 

 click-clack, click-clack all through the night was a most dis- 

 agreeable and nervous sound. One day no fire could be 

 made owing to the sea breaking continually into the galley, 

 so we had to eat a biscuit for our dinner ; and not a moment's 

 rest was to be had, as we were obliged to be constantly hold- 

 ing on, whether standing, sitting, or lying, to prevent being 

 pitched about by the violent plunges and lurches of the 

 vessel. The gale, however, has now happily passed, and we 

 have a fine breeze from the north-west, which is taking us 

 along six or seven knots — quicker than we have ever gone 

 yet. Among our other disagreeables here we have no fresh 

 water to spare for washing, and as I only saved a couple of 

 shirts, they are in a state of most uncomfortable dirtiness, 

 but I console myself with the thoughts of a glorious warm 

 bath when I get on shore. 



***** 



" October i. Oh, glorious day ! Here we are on shore at 

 Deal, where the ship is at anchor. Such a dinner, with our 

 two captains ! Oh, beef-steaks and damson tart, a paradise 

 for hungry sinners. 



* ***** 



'^October 5, London. Here I am laid up with swelled 

 ankles, my legs not being able to stand work after such a 



