We had driving rains, and a gale from the southeast, oceanward, which made our sea dark and miry, even after the storm had ceased and patches of blue sky were visible.

"] Heavy wooden shutters dulled the noise of the boisterous gale outside.

Ah, many a rude, tempestous gale, Perchance, may rend thy little sail, Ere thou wilt reach that blissful shore, Where loving friends have gone before.

Had the weather continued calm, as it was when the boat left the ship, she would have made the shore by dusk; but unhappily a strong gale of wind set in shortly after her departure, and she was seen by Soto and his gang struggling with the billows and approaching night, at such a distance from the land as she could not possibly accomplish while the gale lasted.

In the fine season the bay is secure, but we were informed that in westerly and southwesterly gales heavy seas set in, and vessels are not able to lie at anchor.