Judge of my sensation when I saw the frowning rocks of Arran, scarcely half a mile distant, on our lee-bow.  To our inexpressible relief, and not less to our surprise, we fairly weathered all, and were congratulating each other on our escape, when on looking forward I imagined I saw breakers at no great distance on our lee; and this suspicion was soon confirmed, when the moon, which shone at intervals, suddenly broke out from behind a cloud, and presented to us a most terrific spectacle.  At not more than a quarter of a mile’s distance on our lee-beam, appeared a range of tremendous breakers, amongst which it seemed as if every sea would throw us.  Their height, it may be guessed, was prodigious, when they could be clearly distinguished from the foaming waters of the surrounded ocean.  It was a scene seldom to be witnessed, and never forgotten!  “Lord have mercy on us!” was now on the lip of everyone—­destruction seemed inevitable.  Captain Swaine, whose coolness I have never seen surpassed issued his orders clearly and collectedly when it was proposed as a last resource to drop the anchors, cut away the masts, and trust to the chance of riding out the gale.  This scheme was actually determined on, and every thing was in readiness, but happily was deferred until an experiment was tried aloft In addition to the close-reefed main-topsail and foresail, the fore-topsail and trysail were now set, and the result was almost magical.  With a few plunges we cleared not only the reef, but a huge rock upon which I could with ease have tossed a biscuit, and in a few minutes we were inexpressibly rejoiced to observe both far astern.

We had now miraculously escaped all but certain destruction a second time, but much was yet to be feared.  We had still to pass Cape Jeller, and the moments dragged on in gloomy apprehension and anxious suspense.  The ship carried sail most wonderfully, and we continued to go along at the rate of seven knots, shipping very heavy seas, and laboring much—­all with much solicitude looking out for daylight.  The dawn at length appeared, and to our great joy we saw the land several miles astern, having passed the Cape and many other hidden dangers during the darkness.

Matters on the morning of the 5th, assumed a very different aspect from that which we had experienced for the last two days; the wind gradually subsided, and with it the sea, and a favorable breeze now springing up, we were enabled to make a good offing.  Fortunately no accident of consequence occurred, although several of our people were severely bruised by falls.  Poor fellows! they certainly suffered enough; not a dry stitch, not a dry hammock have they had since we sailed.  Happily, however, their misfortunes are soon forgot in a dry shirt and a can of grog.