in sound, but far too faint for distant thunder ; while, 
occasionally, the boats and smaller craft rocked to and fro, as though 
some ground swell stirred them without breaking the languid surface 
of the sea above. 

" A few drops of thick heavy rain fell just aa th darknes* came on, 



184 CHARLES O'MALLET, 

and then all felt still and calm as before. I sat upon the anchor stock, 
my eyes fixed upon the Old Ark, until gradually her outline grew fainter 
and fainter against the dark sky, and her black hull could scarcely be 
distinguished from the water beneath. I felt that I was looking towards 
her ; for, long after, I had lost sight of the tall mast and high-pitched 
bowsprit, and feared to turn away my head, lest I should lose the 
place where she lay. 

" The time went slowly on, and, although in reality I had not been 
long there, I felt as if years themselves had passed over my head. Since 
I had come there, my mind brooded over all the misfortunes of my 
life ; as I contrasted its outset bright with , and rich in promise with 
the sad reality, my  grew heavy, and my chest heaved painfully ; 
so sunk was I in my reflection, so lost in thought, that