12 
SCENES IN INDIA. 
apprehension of the death which now appeared in- 
evitable ; for my imagination was distracted by such 
a confusion of indistinct and fleeting images, that I 
could not collect my thoughts into a current of clear 
and definite ideas. Insensibility was rapidly coming 
over me ; I am satisfied that my senses would have been 
lapped in complete oblivion before I could have sunk 
under the surface of the raging sea. While I was in 
this state of all but complete stupefaction, I heard the 
welcome sound, though imperfectly through the hoarse 
brawling of the wind, “ Ports all clear V* which had 
scarcely reached my ear, before the ship righted, and 
the captain’s frightful agitation subsided. The moment 
the ropes were cut which confined the ports, these 
latter were forced open by the prodigious pressure of 
the water, which almost instantly escaped and left 
the deck comparatively free. The vessel recovered 
her position, and the immediate peril at once sub- 
sided. 
She was now put before the wind, and drove under 
bare poles at the rate of ten knots an hour. I quitted 
the poop, changed my clothes, and remained for the 
rest of the night on the deck. At intervals the moon 
burst from the dark purple masses that hurried rapidly 
over her fair disk, and poured her clear silvery light 
upon the turbulent ocean. The lightning diminished 
shortly after midnight, but the wind continued with- 
out the slightest abatement. The Lascars who com- 
posed the watch had thrown themselves into the boat, 
which was fastened between the main and fore masts, 
and could not be induced to stir until they saw that 
all immediate danger had subsided. The officer of the 
