BOAT ESCAPE IN A STORM. 



77 



sistance. These enabled us to make all secure on board ; but our 

 anxiety now was no longer for the ship, but for Mate Kogers and 

 those with him out seaward in Davis's Straits. It seemed impos- 

 sible that any small craft could survive in such a storm. Our 

 chances had been doubtful, even in a good harbor ; what, then, 

 had we reason to expect for the fate of those in a boat outside ? 

 We felt dismayed, and eagerly were our glances bent in the di- 

 rection our poor comrades had taken in the morning. Every 

 ^glass was in requisition to catch a sight of them, but only the 

 mountain waves dashing against the rock-ribbed coast, and send- 

 ing their spray full fifty feet in the air, met our view. At last 



Captain B , who was aloft, cried out, " There they come ! there 



they come IV and, sure enough, we now saw them at a distance, 

 struggling bravery, perseveringly, desperately, amid the roar and 

 fierce turmoil of the wild sea threatening to ingulf them. Pres- 

 ently they emerge from the confused mass of waters, and we be- 

 hold them more distinctly. Oh, how they seem to strain each 

 nerve ! How desperate their all but Herculean efforts to try and 

 save themselves ! One moment they appear to be lost ; the next 

 we notice them again struggling on as determinedly as ever. 

 " Pull, pull, for dear life's sake, my good men !" was the involun- 

 tary cry of each on board ; and right bravely did they pull. On 

 they come, thrown about and driven about in the very maddest 

 of revengeful sport that Ocean and Wild Storm could devise. At 

 length they near the ship. A few strokes more — a well-directed 

 movement of the steering-oar, and our beaten and exhausted com- 

 rades are alongside ! Hurrah ! thank God, we have them safe on 

 board ! 



It appeared that the gale had overtaken them suddenly, and at 

 first they attempted to land upon an island, but this the breakers 

 would not admit. There was no alternative, therefore, but to 

 make for the ship as best they could. In doing so, a heavy sea 

 struck the boat, overwhelming it and them. But now was the 

 time for trial of the will and arm of man against winds and waves. 

 Brave souls were in that boat, and Mate Kogers proved himself 

 fully equal to the occasion. The boat was cleared, and stern, bold 

 hearts defiantly pulled her onward to the ship, which they finally 

 reached, utterly worn out by their fearful exertions. Now that 

 they were safe, all their power was gone. A child could have 

 overpowered the whole together. Wet, cold, and enfeebled, their 

 case required immediate attention. Dry clothing, warm drinks, 



