293 
furnish any point of observation, we could not recon- 
noitre it. 
At noon I observed the latitude to be almost the 
same as Alexandria, I therefore desired them to keep 
along the shore, due east. We had a fresh wind from 
the north-west, which made us sail very fast. 
At half past one we discovered Alexandria a-head, 
and at half past three we arrived almost at the entrance 
of the port. The houses seemed so near, that it ap- 
peared as if we could touch them with our hands. 
Every one leaping with joy, dressed himself and pre- 
pared to land. Already had they began to let go the 
anchors. 
How uncertain is the destiny of man! At the very 
instant we were entering the mouth of the port with a 
favourable wind, a gust of a dreadful hurricane struck 
the ship, and petrified the captain, whose mate and the 
sailors persisted in trying to enter the port; but the 
captain opposed them, and Funning upon deck com- 
pelled them by blows to put the ship about, and stand 
out to sea again. 
We entreated him to try the other port of Alexan- 
dria, that of Aboukir; but, deaf to our prayers, he re- 
gained the open sea, and conducted us into the bosom 
of the most frightful hurricane that can be conceived. 
The fury of the wind and the waves increased to such 
a degree, that all the passengers thought themselves 
lost. At sun-set they began to implore the Divine 
Mercy with great cries. I went upon deck, and saw a 
truly frightful spectacle. The waves much higher than 
the ship, broke against it one after another, and formed 
as it were a thick mist, which with the light of the day, 
