and then with slackened sail and much grumbling.  A ship and a brig were astern of us, and, though farther by some miles from the distressed ship than we were, they instantly bore down for her, and rendered her this evening the assistance we might have done at noon.  We are now standing on our way with a fair wind springing up at southeast, which I suppose will last a few hours.  Spent the day in religious exercises, and was happy to observe on the part of the rest of the passengers a due regard for the solemnity of the day.

“Monday, 11th September. Wind still ahead and the sky threatening.—­Ten o’clock.  Beginning to blow hard; taking in sails one after another.—­ Three o’clock.  A perfect storm; the gale a few days ago but a gentle breeze to it....  I never witnessed so tremendous a gale; the wind blowing so that it can scarcely be faced; the sea like ink excepting the whiteness of the surge, which is carried into the air like clouds of dust, or like the driving of snow.  The wind piping through our bare rigging sounds most terrific; indeed, it is a most awful sight.  The sea in mountains breaking over our bows, and a single wave dispersing in mist through the violence of the storm; ship rolling to such a degree that we are compelled to keep our berths; cabin dark with the deadlights in.  Oh! who would go to sea when he can stay on shore!  The wind in southwest driving us back again, so that we are losing all the advantages of our fair wind of yesterday, which lasted, as I supposed, two or three hours.

* * * * *

“Tuesday, 12th September. Gale abated, but head wind still....

“Wednesday, 13th September. All last night a tremendous storm from northwest.

“Thursday, 14th September. The storm increased to a tremendous height last night.  The clouds at sunset were terrific in the extreme, and, in the evening, still more so with lightning.  The sea has risen frightfully and everything wears a most alarming aspect.  At 3 A.M. a squall struck us and laid us almost wholly under water; we came near losing our foremast....  None of us able to sleep from the dreadful noises; creakings and howlings and thousands of indescribable sounds.  Lord! who can endure the terror of thy storm!...  Yesterday’s sea was as molehills to mountains compared with the sea to-day....

“Friday, 15th September. The storm somewhat abated this morning, but still blowing hard from southwest....  Twenty-four days out to-day.

“Saturday, 16th September. Blowing a gale of wind from southwest.  Noon almost calm for half an hour, when, on a sudden, the wind shifted to the northeast, when it blew such a hurricane that every one on board declared they never saw its equal.  For four hours it blew so hard that all the sea was in a perfect foam, and resembled a severe snowstorm more than a dry blow.  If the wind roared before, it now shrilly whistled through our rigging.”