284 
SOUTH SEA 
to gain the shore manifested by the whole crew ; they 
would rather be dashed to pieces against the rocks than 
founder silently on the bosom of the ocean without a 
chance of escape. They understood the sign which the 
Almighty in his goodness is pleased to hold out to his 
creatures, that they may escape into some protective 
glen or cave from the violence He is about to inflict on 
nature for some wise purpose ; — -they knew that in a 
very short time there would be a convulsion of nature, 
“that there would be an Indian hurricane, which is 
more violent than any other in the world,— that aged 
trees would be torn out by the roots,— that the sea 
would be like an agitated cluster of mountains, striking 
against each other with awful force and impetuosity,— 
raising clouds of mist, which would be swept away with 
almost the rapidity of lightning. 
The boat’s head was put about three points off the 
wind, taking the sea upon her bow, and she was headed 
in as much as possible for the shore. Enormous exer- 
tions were now made by the men to gain the rocks, 
trusting to Providence for a landing-place ; I was asked 
by the crew almost in one voice, if I could recollect 
the spot where I had noticed the opening in the surf. 
I replied I thought the boat’s head was directed towards 
it,— I formed this idea from the appearance of the high 
land, the figure of which I had noticed, its black upper 
edge could just be observed raised in the clouds : the 
rowers increased their exertions, they cheered, they were 
answered by the roaring surf, which we heard louder 
and louder every moment, in a short time we could 
