84 PATMOS TO PAROS. 
CHAP, a storm. The high land of Icaria sheltered us 
* until we got farther towards the south-west; when 
the gale freshened, and came upon us with such 
violence, that we could not keep our course. 
All our endeavours to beat to windward, so as 
to weather the northern point of Naxos, and 
bear down the strait between that island and 
Paros, were ineffectual : we fell fast to leeward ; 
and getting among some rocks upon the eastern 
side of Naxos, the foresail was carried away. 
The first notice that we received of this accident, 
came with a wave, which broke over the caique, 
and almost filled our birth : it was fortunate that 
those upon deck were not washed overboard. 
We made our way up as well as we could, ex- 
pecting every instant that something more serious 
would happen. The waves ran mountains high, 
and the caique would not answer to her helm. 
During the delay caused by getting the foresail 
repaired, we shipped water continually; and 
being obliged to take the gale in poop, such a 
sea followed us, that there was reason to fear, if 
the mainsail gave way, the vessel would founder. 
When matters were somewhat rectified, we 
steered for a narrow channel between some high 
rocks and the eastern side of the island: it 
seemed rather like flying than sailing : our little 
caique ran over the curling tops of the highest 
