MALTA AND SICILY. 
201 
on which was a large square tower or castle, 
and at midnight we were off Syracuse, when 
the wind gradually came round to north¬ 
east. At sunrise we had a fine view of 
Mount Etna, or “ Mon Gibello,” as our 
people called it, and surpassingly beautiful 
the old giant appeared, with his black cap 
and pure white robe, and all the lower part 
of him, with the land in the neighbourhood, 
concealed bv clouds and mists. The wind 
•/ 
was now directly contrary, and had raised so 
much sea, that our vessel was quite unable 
to beat to windward against it, and we con¬ 
tinued sailing backwards and forwards for 
some hours without being any nearer to our 
port. As we stood in towards the land, 
we had an indistinct view of Syracuse, or 
“ Serra-oo-sa ,” as our men called it. To¬ 
wards noon the wind moderated, and the 
sea became smoother, but we still made very 
