In short, the ship was
being carried rapidly forward in the grasp of a strong under-current. A
heavy fog hung like a pall overhead, enveloping the ship's royals and
top-gallant sails; and as the noise increased a strange feeling of awe
and fear came over the crew, exciting their superstitions to the highest
pitch.
As the ship went on the sounds began to resemble the dashing and surging
of a heavy body of water forced by a strong tide through a narrow
gorge. Still nothing could be seen of land, which increased the strange
sensations produced by so singular a phenomenon. Nothing either crew or
officers could do would improve the situation, for in the ship's
condition they were as helpless as children. The lead was cast, and
sixty fathoms called. It was now evident that there was land close by.
But the trail of the line only showed the more clearly that the ship was
at the mercy of some rapid and dangerous current, perhaps being drawn
into some whirlpool. Now the fog seemed to lift, and long lines of light
were seen ahead, but it was only to be succeeded by greater darkness.
Pages:
281
282
283
284
285
286
287
288
289
290
291
292
293
294
295
296
297
298
299
300
301
302
303
304
305