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Article THE FIRST CRUISE OF THE " VIXEN." ← Page 10 of 23 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The First Cruise Of The " Vixen."
future movements , for we had started xvithout any object or destination , and Guernsey may be looked upon as the rendezvous of our resolutions . Darcy proposed a cruise round the coast of Kerry , Laxvless xvas pressing for a visit to Lisbon or Cadiz , where Catarina was engaged , Tom was for the Greek ArcMpelago , I xvas for returning to Coxves , but this suggestion was instantly negatix'ed ; we therefore wrote the names of each spot on slips of paper , and Masinissa drexv our fate from Tom ' s hat . It xvas Cadiz .
By txvo o ' clock we xvere spanking along ; the distant shores of Brittany xvere dimly visible in the warm haze xvhich edged the horizon on our left ; while the island of Jersey , far behind us , was sinking into the ocean . The setting sun gilded the pinnacles of a clump of rocks on our left , which , Mr . Boom informed ns , was La Feuillee . By midnight we weathered Cape
Ushant , and as xve turned in I heard with no little trepidation that we were fairly in the terrible Bay of Biscay . Providence , hoxvever , belied , for once , the ill-favoured reputation of this inhospitable spot . For five days a gentle easterly xvind blew steadily , ancl Cape Ortegal rose out of the sea on our larboard boxvafter a passage which Mr . Boom and Tom agreed to
con-, sider nothing short of miraculous . We slipped along the xvestern coast of Portugal , passing Vigo and Oporto , and xve were discussing the question of a passing visit to Lisbon over our dinner as we scudded under the shores of the Estramadura , xvhen a sudden veering of the xvind to the south-west settled the dispute , for in an hour it blexv half a gale . The sky to
xvindward assumed the leaden hue xvhich betokens mischief , ancl in spite of Tom ' s entreaties ancl jeers , I took the command out of his hands on this occasion , ancl ordered the Vixen into the nearest port . The alacrity xvith xvhich my yacht-master , Mr . Boom , obeyed , convinced me that I was right ; the helm was put down , and we sprang on with a fearful speed before the
freshening gale . On our larboard bow was a nest of islets , called the Berlenga , while right a-head the huge breakers xvere roaring up the rugged steeps of the Farilhoens rocks . I looked around , and gathered from the silence and grax'e countenances of the crexv that there was more clanger in our position than Ave landsmen apprehended . On we flew toxvards the
foaming rocks ; I fancied that I coidd hear the roar of the breakers as they sparkled in the lurid light of the setting sun . Natty Boom stood beside the helm , glancing occasionally at the stiff canvas , and anon deigning to cast a look toAvards the shore . I did not like to speak , but I felt every drop of blood in my veins stood still . Suddenly the yacht-master gave an order—as
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The First Cruise Of The " Vixen."
future movements , for we had started xvithout any object or destination , and Guernsey may be looked upon as the rendezvous of our resolutions . Darcy proposed a cruise round the coast of Kerry , Laxvless xvas pressing for a visit to Lisbon or Cadiz , where Catarina was engaged , Tom was for the Greek ArcMpelago , I xvas for returning to Coxves , but this suggestion was instantly negatix'ed ; we therefore wrote the names of each spot on slips of paper , and Masinissa drexv our fate from Tom ' s hat . It xvas Cadiz .
By txvo o ' clock we xvere spanking along ; the distant shores of Brittany xvere dimly visible in the warm haze xvhich edged the horizon on our left ; while the island of Jersey , far behind us , was sinking into the ocean . The setting sun gilded the pinnacles of a clump of rocks on our left , which , Mr . Boom informed ns , was La Feuillee . By midnight we weathered Cape
Ushant , and as xve turned in I heard with no little trepidation that we were fairly in the terrible Bay of Biscay . Providence , hoxvever , belied , for once , the ill-favoured reputation of this inhospitable spot . For five days a gentle easterly xvind blew steadily , ancl Cape Ortegal rose out of the sea on our larboard boxvafter a passage which Mr . Boom and Tom agreed to
con-, sider nothing short of miraculous . We slipped along the xvestern coast of Portugal , passing Vigo and Oporto , and xve were discussing the question of a passing visit to Lisbon over our dinner as we scudded under the shores of the Estramadura , xvhen a sudden veering of the xvind to the south-west settled the dispute , for in an hour it blexv half a gale . The sky to
xvindward assumed the leaden hue xvhich betokens mischief , ancl in spite of Tom ' s entreaties ancl jeers , I took the command out of his hands on this occasion , ancl ordered the Vixen into the nearest port . The alacrity xvith xvhich my yacht-master , Mr . Boom , obeyed , convinced me that I was right ; the helm was put down , and we sprang on with a fearful speed before the
freshening gale . On our larboard bow was a nest of islets , called the Berlenga , while right a-head the huge breakers xvere roaring up the rugged steeps of the Farilhoens rocks . I looked around , and gathered from the silence and grax'e countenances of the crexv that there was more clanger in our position than Ave landsmen apprehended . On we flew toxvards the
foaming rocks ; I fancied that I coidd hear the roar of the breakers as they sparkled in the lurid light of the setting sun . Natty Boom stood beside the helm , glancing occasionally at the stiff canvas , and anon deigning to cast a look toAvards the shore . I did not like to speak , but I felt every drop of blood in my veins stood still . Suddenly the yacht-master gave an order—as