We had gained to the northward of the Bahama Isles, and were standing to the westward before a light breeze, when early one morning several waterspouts were observed to be forming in various directions.  It was my watch below, but as I had never seen one of these curious phenomena of nature, I went on deck to indulge my curiosity.

* * * * *

“Pray what is a waterspout?” inquired the pacha; “I never heard of one before.”

“A waterspout, your highness, is the ascent of a large body of water into the clouds—­one of those gigantic operations by which nature, apparently without effort, accomplishes her will, pointing out to man the insignificance of his most vaunted undertakings.”

“Humph! that’s a waterspout, is it?” replied the pacha; “I’m about as wise as before.”

“I will describe it more clearly to your highness, for there is no one who has a better right to know what a waterspout is, than myself.”

* * * * *

A black cloud was over our heads, and we perceived that for some time it was rapidly descending.  The main body then remained stationary, and a certain portion of it continued bellying down until it had assumed the form of an enormous jelly-bag.  From the end of this bag a thin, wiry, black tongue of vapour continued to descend until it had arrived half way between the cloud and the sea.  The water beneath, then ruffled on its surface, increasing its agitation more and more until it boiled and bubbled like a large cauldron, throwing its foam aside in every direction.  In a few minutes a small spiral thread of water was perceived to rise into the air, and meet the tongue which had wooed it from the cloud.  When the union had taken place, the thread increased each moment in size, until it was swelled into a column of water several feet in diameter, which continued to supply the thirsty cloud until it was satiated and could drink no more.  It then broke, the sea became smooth as before, and the messenger of heaven flew away upon the wings of the wind, to dispense its burthen over the parched earth in refreshing and fertilising showers.

While I was standing at the taffrail in admiration of this wonderful resource of nature, the main boom jibbed and struck me with such force, that I was thrown into the sea.  Another waterspout forming close to the vessel, the captain and crew were alarmed and made all sail to escape, without regarding me; for they were aware that if it should happen to break over them, they would be sent to the bottom with its enormous weight.  I had scarcely risen to the surface, when I perceived that the water was in agitation round me, and all my efforts to swim from the spot were unavailing, for I was within the circle of attraction.  Thus was I left to my fate, and convinced that I could not swim for many minutes, I swallowed the salt water as fast as I could, that my struggles might the sooner be over.