Early In The Morning Of The 9th Of December We Weighed Anchor, But The Wind Was So Unfavourable That We Were Obliged To Tack The Whole Day In Order To Gain The Open Sea, And It Was Not Until About 10 A.M. That We Lost Sight Of Land.

There were eight passengers besides myself; five Frenchmen, one Belgian, and two citizens of Milan.

I looked upon the latter as half countrymen of mine, and we were soon very good friends.

It was the second time this year that the two Italians were making the voyage round Cape Horn. Their first had not been fortunate; they reached Cape Horn in winter, which in those cold southern latitudes lasts from April till about November. {53} They were unable to circumnavigate the Cape, being driven back by violent contrary winds and storms, against which they strove for fourteen weary days without making the least progress. The crew now lost courage, and affirmed that it would be advisable to turn back and wait for more favourable winds. The captain, however, was not of this opinion, and succeeded so well in working upon the pride of the crew that they once more engaged in their conflict with the elements. It was, however, for the last time, for the very same night a tremendous sea broke over the ship, tearing away all her upper works, and sweeping the captain and six of the sailors overboard. The water poured in torrents into the cabins, and drove every one from the berths.

Enter page number Go  Previous Next
Page 111 of 708
Words from 29655 to 29909 of 187810