Life of Flora Macdonald and her adventures with Prince Charles

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dressed the Prince, saying, that the evening looked gloomy ;
that he did not like the bright, but black-edged openings in
the clouds; that he was certain that a storm would arise; and
that it was more prudent by far to remain for the night where
they were. Charles absolutely refused, and said, " No, no,
Donald, we will push on, and dread no evil while you sit
at the helm ". On hearing this, Donald, very much against
his will, ordered the sails to be set, while he himself took
his place at the helm. In a few minutes the boat glided
swiftly along, under a breeze portentously fresh. In less
than an hour after, a terrible storm arose, with thunder and
lightning; and the crew of seven men, besides the pilot,
had more than enough to do to keep the boat from swamp-
ing. The crested waves rose around like dark rolling
mountains, and, breaking into the frail vessel in gushing
streams, gave the crew very hard work to bale them out.
Rain fell in torrents, and the brooding darkness like a
gloomy curtain of death, was momentarily illuminated by
the bright flashes of lightning that darted from cloud to
cloud around ! Sorely did the Prince repent of his rashness
and obstinacy in not yielding to the prudent advice of his
sage and experienced pilot, but it was too late ; and all that
now remained was to try to make the best of it. They had
no compass, no chart, and scarcely any hope of safety. They
could avoid neither rock, nor island, nor shore, nor quick-
sand ; but were compelled to dash on before a sweeping
Easterly hurricane, and trust to Providence. The Prince,
greatly impressed with the danger, frequently addressed the
pilot, and said " Oh ! Donald, Donald, I fear that all is
over with us ; this is worse than Culloden by far ". Donald
replied, that while they were afloat there was hope, and
that He who had the winds and the waves under His com-
mand, was able to preserve them if they placed confidence