WHALING VOYAGE. 
271 
clinging to anything which was within reach, to prevent 
ourselves from being thrown down. The blustering 
bully of fine -weather now looked pale with affright ; 
shivering and shrunk, his mind had forsaken him, and 
not a word escaped his lips ; the dashing spray, which 
at times flew over the decks, caused his craven soul to 
cower in pitiable plight : but those who might have been 
thought, from their gentleness and civility, men want- 
ing nerve and courage were now seen facing the danger 
with unaverted heads, quiet— yet bold, unassuming — 
yet proud; they feared not the raging of the elements, 
because, knowing their own hearts, they trusted to 
Him who “ rides in the whirlwind and governs the 
storm, ,J 
All of us longed for morning, and when it broke, an 
awful sight presented itself. The typhoon was still 
howling in all its fury, and it was so powerful that it 
appeared to strike the ship like something solid, or 
similar to a rush of water ; a lull for a few seconds would 
ensue, and then heavy and sudden blasts would come 
on in quick succession, striking the ship with such 
amazing force that made every plank to shake in her 
well-constructed frame. The ship now plunging head- 
long into an immense hollow amid the waves, and now 
rising rapidly on the top of one, while another the next 
moment threatened to overwhelm us, and finish the catas- 
trophe,-— all conspired to render our situation an awful 
one. At about eight a. m., I accompanied the captain 
to the top of the companion-ladder, and we both sus- 
tained ourselves in the erect position, although with great 
