The mate and sailors were running about the decks, looking
frightened and bewildered, eagerly casting loose some ropes, and
pulling desperately upon others; the sails were fluttering and
shaking, as if anxious to quit the spars and fly away to unknown
regions; the brig felt the force of the wind, and for a few
moments was pressed over on her side until her beam ends were in
the water; and what with the shouting of the captain, the
answering shouts of the mate, the unearthly cries of the sailors,
as they strove to execute the orders so energetically given; the
struggling of the canvas, the roaring of the winds and the waves,
the creaking of the cordage, the beating of the rain against the
decks, and the careening of the vessel, it is not remarkable that
I felt somewhat alarmed and excited, as well as deeply interested
in witnessing for the first time in my life A SQUALL AT SEA.

The squall was of short duration; although the rain continued for
a time, the wind, after a few minutes, gave but little
inconvenience. In the course of an hour the murky clouds had
disappeared, the sun shone out brightly as it was sinking towards
the horizon, and the brig was again pursuing her way towards her
destined port, urged slowly along by a light but favorable
breeze.

Having got my sea legs on, I could proudly strut about among the
lumber and sheep-pens without fear of rolling overboard. I found
the sailors a rough but good-natured set of fellows, with but
little refinement in ideas or language. Although they amused
themselves with my awkwardness, and annoyed me with practical
jokes, they took a pride and pleasure in inducting me into the