"You perceive that in crossing the Strm channel_, we always went long way up above the whirl, even calmest weather, and then had to wait and watch carefully slack - but now we were driving right pool itself, and hurricane ! ' ,' , ' get there just slack - some little hope ' - but next moment I cursed myself for being so great fool dream of hope at all that we were doomed, had we been ten times ninety-gun ship

" the first fury tempest had spent itself, or perhaps feel it , scudded before it, but at all events the seas, which at first kept down wind, and lay flat and frothing, now got up into absolute mountains singular change, too, had come over the heavens Around in every direction still as black as pitch, but nearly overhead there burst out, all at once, circular rift of clear sky - as clear as I ever saw - and of deep bright blue - and through it there blazed forth the full moon with lustre that I never before knew her to wear She lit up every thing about us greatest distinctness - but, oh God, what scene to light up !

"I now made attempts to my brother - but, in some manner which understand, the din had so increased that make him hear single word, although I screamed top voice ear Presently he shook his head, looking as pale as death, and held up one finger, _'listen ! '_

"At first make out what he meant - but soon hideous thought flashed upon me I dragged my watch from its fob not going I glanced at its face moonlight, and then burst into tears as I flung it far away ocean It had run down at seven o'clock ! We were behind the time slack, whirl Strm was in full fury !

"When boat is well built, properly trimmed, and not deep laden, the waves in strong gale, when going large, seem always to slip from beneath her - which appears very strange to landsman - and called riding_, in sea phrase Well, we had ridden the swells very cleverly ; but presently gigantic sea happened us right under the counter, and bore us with it as it rose - up - up - sky have believed that any wave could rise so high And then down we came with sweep, slide, and plunge, that made me feel sick and dizzy, falling from some lofty mountain-top in dream But while we were up I had thrown quick glance around - one glance was all sufficient our exact position in an instant The Moskoe-Strm whirlpool was about quarter of mile dead ahead - but no more like the every-day Moskoe-Strm, whirl now see like mill-race If I known where we were, and what we had to expect, I have recognised the place at all As , I involuntarily closed my eyes in horror The lids clenched themselves together in spasm

"It more than two minutes afterward until we suddenly felt the waves subside, and were enveloped in foam The boat made sharp half turn to larboard, and then shot off in its new direction like thunderbolt same moment the roaring noise water was completely drowned in kind of shrill shriek - such sound imagine given out waste-pipes of many thousand steam-vessels, letting off their steam all together We were now belt of surf that always surrounds the whirl ; and , , that another moment would plunge us abyss - down which only see indistinctly on account amazing velocity we wore borne along The boat seem to sink water at all, but to skim like an air-bubble surface surge Her starboard side was next the whirl, and larboard arose the world of ocean we had left It stood like huge writhing wall horizon

"It may appear strange, but now, when we were very jaws gulf, more composed than when we were only approaching it Having made up my mind to hope no more, I got rid of great deal terror which unmanned me at first I suppose despair that strung my nerves

"It may look like boasting - but what I tell you is truth - I began to reflect how magnificent thing to die , and how foolish in me of so paltry consideration as my own individual life, in view of so wonderful manifestation of God's power believe that I blushed with shame idea crossed my mind After little while I became possessed keenest curiosity whirl itself I positively felt wish to explore its depths, even sacrifice going ; and my principal grief never my old companions on shore mysteries I These, , were singular fancies to occupy man's mind extremity - and often thought since, revolutions boat around the pool rendered me little light-headed

" another circumstance which tended to restore my self-possession ; and the cessation wind, which present situation - for, saw yourself, the belt of surf is considerably lower general bed ocean, and this latter now towered above us, high, black, mountainous ridge never been at sea in heavy gale, form no idea confusion of mind occasioned wind and spray together They blind, deafen, and strangle you, and take away all power of action or reflection But we were now, in great measure, rid annoyances - just us death-condemned felons in prison are allowed petty indulgences, forbidden them while their doom is yet uncertain

"How often the circuit belt impossible We careered round and round for perhaps an hour, flying rather than floating, getting gradually more and more middle surge, and then nearer and nearer to its horrible inner edge All I had never let go ring-bolt My brother was stern, holding on to small empty water-cask which securely lashed under the coop counter, and was on deck that swept overboard gale first took us approached the brink pit he let go his hold , and made ring, , agony terror, he endeavored to force my hands, as not large enough to afford us both secure grasp I never felt deeper grief than when him attempt this act - although madman when it - raving maniac through sheer fright care, however, to contest the point it could make no difference whether either of us held on at all ; so I let him have the bolt, and went astern cask This no great difficulty in doing ; smack flew round steadily enough, and upon an even keel - only swaying to and fro, immense sweeps and swelters whirl Scarcely had I secured myself in my new position, when we gave wild lurch to starboard, and rushed headlong abyss I muttered hurried prayer to God, and thought all was over

"As the sickening sweep descent, I had instinctively tightened my hold barrel, and closed my eyes For some seconds I dared not open them - while I expected instant destruction, and wondered that not already in my death-struggles water But moment after moment elapsed I still lived The sense of falling had ceased ; motion vessel seemed much as it before, while belt of foam, exception that she now lay more along courage, and looked once again scene

"Never shall I forget the sensations of awe, horror, and admiration I gazed about me The boat appeared hanging, by magic, midway down, interior surface of funnel vast in circumference, prodigious in depth, and whose perfectly smooth sides mistaken for ebony, but bewildering rapidity they spun around, and gleaming and ghastly radiance they shot forth, rays full moon, circular rift amid the clouds which already described, streamed in flood of golden glory along the black walls, and far away down inmost recesses abyss