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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text
Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1858. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XXI. GIBRALTAR TO ENGLAND. On the 6th of March, after remaining a week on the Eock, I embarked in a fearful gale of wind in a small boat with four oars, to put myself on board the Alhambra steamer, bound for England. The gale was so strong as to render canvas out of the question; the sailors dare not set sail for fear of capsizing. Withalong pull, and a strongpull, and a pull altogether, we fortunately rowed before the wind at a fearful risk, the sea frequently threatening to swamp us, causing one of the most unusual movements I ever remember to have felt in a small boat. She seemed to hesitate at times, to struggle and stagger like a drunken man. At last we reached the steamer, where I learnt from the captain that the Admiralty agent had not landed the mail in consequence of the fearful gale which was then blowing. He remarked, We shall not sail to-night; I shall not put to sea in such weather, and if I had been in your place I should not have run the risk that you have incurred. I remember well, he continued, the time when a small boat during a tremendous blow (and blow it does round the Eock), was sent flying into the air by the action of the wind, with all hands, who were unfortunately drowned. The next morning the gale had subsided, when we up anchor, and steamed away from the strongest of fortifications, and one of the most remarkable rocks (especially in an historical point of view) to be found in the world. In the Straits both the land and the water presented objects of great interest to the traveller and tourist. The fearful gale that had just subsided, accompanied with a deluge of rain, had brought down from the land, through the channels of many rivers, mud and debris, which contrasted strongly with the transparent hue of the Medite...
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