OUR SAILS AND SPARS CARRIED AWAY. 
183 
one with the harpoon, it struggles with the instrument, disen¬ 
gages itself, and disappears in the direction of the bottom; he 
strikes another, it is hauled safely on board and served up for 
dinner. A whale passes, but not sufficiently near to receive our 
salutation. 4 p.m., it blows a gale, captain cries out, “ clue up 
the top-gallantsail,” u aye, aye, sir. 7 ’ During the night we have 
a terrific gale; it carries away our jib, foretop-sail, foretop-gal - 
lantsail, maintop-staysail, and maintop-gallantsail. 
15th. The gale still continues ; we are driven out of sight of 
land, but arrive in sight of the South American coast at 3 P.M., 
the Andes towering up, hiding themselves in the clouds. 
16. Strong winds; we are about sixty miles from Panama, 
running close in shore. At evening, the kind-hearted inhabi¬ 
tants light beacons upon the side of the mountain, to guide us 
during the night. At nine we put about on the other tack, and 
at four in the morning were within ten minutes run of being 
aground. 
