I
could do no good after having made a chart of the soundings round
the ship, and went at last on to the bridge to sketch the scene.
But at that moment the strain from the winch and a jerk from the
Turkish steamer got off the boat, after we had been some hours
aground. The carpenter reported that she had made only two inches
of water in one compartment; the cable was still uninjured astern,
and our spirits rose; when, will you believe it? after going a
short distance astern, the pilot ran us once more fast aground on
what seemed to me nearly the same spot. The very same scene was
gone through as on the first occasion, and dark came on whilst the
wind shifted, and we were still aground. Dinner was served up, but
poor Mr. Liddell could eat very little; and bump, bump, grind,
grind, went the ship fifteen or sixteen times as we sat at dinner.
The slight sea, however, did enable us to bump off. This morning
we appear not to have suffered in any way; but a sea is rolling in,
which a few hours ago would have settled the poor old ELBA.
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