A few puffs lifted the topsails, but they fell
again to the mast, and all was as stiff as ever. A moment more, and a
terrific flash and peal broke simultaneously upon us, and a cloud
appeared to open directly over our heads and let down the water in one
body, like a falling ocean. We stood motionless, and almost stupefied;
yet nothing had been struck. Peal after peal rattled over our heads,
with a sound which seemed actually to stop the breath in the body, and
the "speedy gleams" kept the whole ocean in a glare of light. The
violent fall of rain lasted but a few minutes, and was succeeded by
occasional drops and showers; but the lightning continued incessant
for several hours, breaking the midnight darkness with irregular and
blinding flashes. During all which time there was not a breath
stirring, and we lay motionless, like a mark to be shot at, probably
the only object on the surface of the ocean for miles and miles. We
stood hour after hour, until our watch was out, and we were relieved,
at four o'clock. During all this time, hardly a word was spoken; no
bells were struck, and the wheel was silently relieved.
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