TEN DAYS OF TEMPEST, 2O9 the sky. He therefore wrapped himself up, taking care to have nothing about him likely to give hold the wind, and set out. He got to the foot of the cape without much difficulty. The sand and earth blinded him, it is true, but protected by the cliff he had not as yet actually faced the wind. The fatigue began when he attempted to climb the almost perpendicular sides of the promon- tory ; but by clutching at the tufts of herbs with which tbey were covered, he managed to get to the top, but there the fury of the gale was such that he could neither remain standing nor seated ; he was therefore forced to fling himself upon his face behind the little cop- pice and cling to some shrubs, only raising his head and shoulders above the ground. The appearance of sea and sky was indeed terrible. The spray dashed over the Lieutenant's head, and half-a-miie from the cape water and clouds were confounded together in a thick mist. Low jagged rain-clouds were chased along the heavens with giddy rapidity, and heavy masses of vapour were piled upon the zenith. Every now and then an awful stillness fell upon the land, and tle only sounds were the breaking of the surf upon the beach and the roaring of the angry billows ; but then the tempest recommenced with redoubled fury, and Hobson felt the cape tremble to its founda- tions. Sometimes the rain poured down with such violence that it resembled grape-shot. It was indeed a terrible hurricane from the very worst quarter of the heavens. This north-east wind might blow for a long time and cause all manner of havoc. Yet Hobson, who would generally have grieved over the destruction around him, did not complain, — on the contrary, he rejoiced ; for if, as he hoped, the island held together, it must be driven to the south-west by this wind, so much more powerful than the currents. And the south-west meant land — hope — safety ! Yes, for his own sake, and for that of all with him, he hoped that the hurricane would last unjbil it had flung them upon the land, no matter where. That which would have been fatal to a ship was the best thing that could happen to the floating island. For a quarter of an hour Hobson remained crouching upon the ground, clutching at the shrubs like a drowning man at a spar, lashed by the wind, drenched by the rain and the spray, struggling to estimate all the chances of safety the storm might afford him. At the end of that time he let himself slide down the cape, and fought his way to Fort Hope.
