The Woman as Human Being and Equal to Man

Islam was revealed at a time when a lot of people denied the humanity
of the woman;some were skeptical about it; and still others admitted
it, yet considered the woman athing created for the humble service of
the man.
With the advent of Islam,circumstances improved for the woman. The
woman's dignity and humanity were restored.Islam confirmed her
capacity to carry out Allah's commands, her responsibilities and
observation of the commands that lead to heaven.
Islam considered the woman as a worthy human being, with a share in
humanity equal to that of the man. Their single origin, their general
human traits, their responsibility for the observation of religious
duties with the consequent reward or punishment, and the unity of
their destiny all bear witness to their equality from the Islamicpoint
of view. This fact isestablished in the Noble Qur'an.
" O mankind! Be dutiful to your Lord, Who created you from a single
person (Adam) and from him (Adam) He created his wife (Eve), and from
them both He created many men and women and fear Allah through Whom
you demand your mutual (rights), and (do not cut the relations of) the
wombs (kinship). Surely, Allah is Ever an All-Watcher over you." The
Holy Qur'an, Chapter 4, Verse 1
As is stated in another verse:
" It is He Who has created you from a single person (Adam), and (then)
He has created from him his wife (Eve), in order that he might enjoy
the pleasure of living with her." The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 7,Verse 189
The Qur'an, on its part, treats this issue of equality among men
andwomen from more than one perspective.
On the purely religious level
"Verily, the Muslims (those who submit to Allah in Islam) men and
women,the believers men and women (who believe in Islamic
Monotheism),the men and the women who areobedient (to Allah), the men
and women who are truthful (in their speech and deeds), the men and
the women who are patient (in performing all the dutieswhich Allah has
ordered and in abstaining from all that Allah has forbidden), the men
andthe women who are humble (before their Lord Allah),the men and the
women who give Sadaqat, (i.e. Zakat, and alms, etc.),the men and the
women who fast (the obligatory fasting during the month of Ramadan and
the optional Nawafil fasting),the men and women who guard
theirchastity (from illegal sexual acts) and the menand women who
remember Allah much with their hearts and tongues (while sitting,
standing, lying, etc.) Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a
great reward (i.e. Paradise)." The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 33, Verse35
On the basic social and religious responsibilities
The Qur'an establishes equality by maintaining
"The believers, men and women, are "Awliy," (helpers, supporters,
friends, protectors) of one another, they enjoin(on the people)
Al-Ma`ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to
do);and forbid (people) from Al-Munkar (i.e. polytheism and disbelief
of all kinds, and all that Islam has forbidden); they offer their
prayers perfectly (lqamat-as-Salat), and give the Zakat and obey Allah
and His Messenger. Allah will have mercy on them." The Holy Qur'an,
Chapter 9, Verse 71
In Adam's story, Divine Orders were made to him and his wife, both and equally:
"O Adam! Dwell you and your wife in the Paradise and eat both ofyou
freely with pleasure and delight of things therein as wherever you
will, but come not near this tree or you both willbe of the Zalim'n
(wrongdoers)." The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 2, Verse 35
What is new, however, about this story as given by the Qur'an is that
the temptation is blamed not on Eve but on Satan.
"Then the Satan made them slip there from (theParadise), and got them
out from that in which they were." The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 236
The reverse of The Old Testament versions. ThusEve was neither the
sole eater from the tree, nor the one who initiated the act. Rather,
the mistake was theirs both, and both of them repented and asked for
forgiveness:
"They said, "Our Lord! We have wronged ourselves. If You forgive us
not, and bestow not upon us Your Mercy, we shall be losers." The Holy
Qur'an, Chapter 7, Verse 23
Further still, some verses ascribe the trespass to Adam:
"And indeed We made a covenant with Adam before, but he forgot, and We
found on his part no firm will-power". Then Satan whispered to him
saying, "O Adam! Shall I lead you to the Tree of Eternity and to a
kingdom that will never waste away?" Thus did Adam disobey his Lord,
so he went astray." The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 20, Verse 115, 120 and
121
Equality of punishment and reward and eligibility for Paradise
The Almighty says: "That was a nation who has passed away. They shall
receive the reward of what they earned and you of what you earn. And
you will not be asked of what they used to do." The Holy Qur'an,
Chapter 2, Verse 134 and 141.
Concerning the equality of men and women in receiving rewards and the
entry of paradise, God says:
"So their Lord accepted of them (their supplication and answered
them), "Never will I allow to be lost the work of any of you, be he
male or female." The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 3, Verse 195
"And Whoever works righteousness, whether male or female, while he(or
she) is a true believer(of Islamic Monotheism) verily, to him We will
give a good life (in this world with respect, contentment and lawful
provision), and We shall pay them certainly a reward in proportion to
the best of what they used to do (i.e. Paradise in the Hereafter)."
The Holy Qur'an, Chapter 16, Verse 97
Financial matters
The rule of Islam abolished the conventions prevalent among many
nations which deprived the woman of the right of ownership,
inheritance, and those which createdobstacles against her exercise of
free and full control of her holdings. As a rule, Islam acknowledges
the woman's rights to all kinds of ownership, spending and channeling
of her money. It gives her the rights of inheritance, selling, buying,
renting, donating, lending, allocating property for religious and
charitable purposes, giving alms, legal transfer and mortgage, as well
as many other forms of contracts and actions.
Right to seek education
The woman's right to seek education or learning is basic and is also
guaranteed by Islamic teachings. Islam actually makes it incumbent on
the woman to seek knowledge; the Prophet (blessings and peace be upon
him) says, `seekingknowledge is incumbenton every Muslim," where"every
Muslim" obviouslyinvolves men and women on an equal footing as a rule
formalised by all authorities of jurisprudence.
Right to perform religious ordinances
The woman is also required to perform religious ordinances andforms of
worship the way the man is. Praying, fasting, Zakat (the alms
sanctifying tax), pilgrimage and all the other fundamental practices
in Islam are required of Muslims in their capacity, both men and
women, as responsible humans. Again the woman's actions are
recompensedby Allah the way the man's actions are.
Social activity
The woman is not excluded from the area of social activity; Allah says:
"The believers, men and women, are "Awliy," (helpers, supporters,
friends, protectors) of one another, they enjoin(on the people)
Al-Ma`ruf (i.e. Islamic Monotheism and all that Islam orders one to
do); and forbid (people) fromAl-Munkar (i.e. polytheism and disbelief
of all kinds, and all that Islam has forbidden)." The Holy Qur�an,
Chapter9, Verse 71.
For instance, she can give refuge for those who seek it. If she hosts
a refugee, her action is to be respected and observed. This rule
relates back to Um Hanibint Abi Talib's giving relief to a father
in-law on the day of the Conquest of Mecca by Muslims. When her
brother wanted to kill him because he was an infidel, she complained
to Allah's Messenger (blessings and peace be upon him) saying,"Allah's
Messenger, my mother's son insists on killing my refugee, Ibn Hubayra.
"The Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him) replied, "We confer
asylum on him that you give refuge to, Um Hani". [Mutafaq aley (agreed
upon) on the authority of Um Hani, The Pearl and the Coral (Al-Lu'lu'
wal-Marjan) (193)]

Hijab - Unveiling the Mystery

American Muslim womentoday are rediscovering the pristine Islam as
revealed by Allah, (God), to the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh1), more than
1,400 years ago, but without any of the contradictions of ancestral
culture. Consequently they are essentially engaging in alife-long
exercise of rediscovering their own selves � what it means tobe a
human, a Muslim, and more so, a Muslim woman. Wearing a head-covering
(hijab) is an important part of their spiritual journey.
One of the most commonquestions today, asked by Muslims and
non-Muslims alike, is:"Why do Muslim women cover their heads?� The
answer is very simple - Muslim women observe hijab because Allah has
told them to do so:
"O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and the believing women to
draw their outer garments around them (when they go out or are among
men). Thatis better in order that they may be known (to be Muslims)
and not annoyed..." (Qur'an 33:59).
Muslims believe that their sole purpose in life is the worship of God
alone, according to His instructions, as revealed in the Holy Qur�an,
and through the teachings ofthe Prophet Mohammed (pbuh). As such,
wearingthe hijab is an act of obedience to God and, hence, forms the
primary basis for wearing it.
Generalizations about Islam and Muslims are replete in today�s media.
Muslim women inheadscarves are frequently unfairly stigmatized. They
are regarded on the one hand as oppressed, and on the other, as
fanatics and fundamentalists. Both depictions are grossly wrong and
imprecise. Such portrayals not only misrepresent these women�s strong
feelingstowards hijab, but also fail to acknowledge their courage and
the resulting identity hijab gives them. There are even bans on
wearing the hijab in some countries. When asked about this, Aminah
Assilmi, a Christian convert to Islam, said: �To ask me to go out
without my hijab would be like asking a nun to go topless. It amazes
me,and I cannot help but wonder, if they would have ordered Mary, the
mother of Jesus (pbuh) to uncover her hair.�
Another misconception is the belief that Muslim women are forced to
wear hijab. For the vast majority of Muslim women, nothing could be
farther from the truth. Indeed, deciding finally to wear hijab is
often difficult. Days of meditation, fear of negative consequences and
reactions from family and/or the wider American society, and
ultimately, the need for plenty of courage weighheavily in reaching
the decision. Wearing hijab is a very personal and independent
decision, coming from appreciating the wisdom underlying Allah�s
command and a sincere wish to please Him.
�For me, the lead up to the decision to wear hijab was more difficult
than actually wearing it. I found that, al hamdulillah (praise be
toGod), although I did receive negative comments from people,
Iappreciated the feeling of modesty wearing the hijab gave me, and
ironically, the negative attention made me feel more proud to be
identified as a Muslim,� remarked Katherine Bullock, a Canadian
convert to Islam.
�To me hijab is a gift from Allah. It gives me the opportunity to
become closer to Allah. Also quite importantly, (it provides me) the
chance to stand and be recognized as a Muslim,"Fariha Khan of
Rockville, Maryland, said.
While the hijab identifies women as followers of Islam, with it comes
tremendous responsibility. Hijab is not merely a covering dress, but
more importantly, it is behavior, manners, speech and appearance in
public. The headscarf is an outer manifestation of an inner commitment
to worshipping Allah � it symbolizes a commitment to piety. Self or
inner morality is what gives meaning to the external scarf. This can
be perceived from the overall demeanor of any Muslim woman � how she
acts, dresses, speaks, and so on. In a land where misinformation about
Islam and Muslims abounds, Muslim sisters have the opportunity to
portray Islam in its true light
Saba M. Baig, a graduateof Rutgers University, NJ, was 17 when she
seriously started wearing hijab. She feels that she is still in the
process of learning internal hijab. "My biggest realization was that
hijab was not just about wearing a scarf on my head, but more ofa
(veil) on my heart," said Baig. "Hijab is more than an external
covering. That�s the easypart of it all. It has a lot (more) to do
with modesty and just the way you present yourself."
Imaan, a convert to Islam, adds,"Unfortunately, it also has its down
side: you get discriminated against, treated as though you are
oppressed� I wear it for (Allah), and because I want to. Period."
Katherine Bullock observed that �after I started wearing hijab, I
noticed that people would often behave more circumspectly with me,
like apologizing if they swore. I appreciated that. I feel that
wearing hijab has given me an insight into a decent and upright
lifestyle.�
HIJAB IS AN ACT OF MODESTY
Modest clothing and hijab are precautions to avoid social violations.
The following verses of the Qur�an highlight that this is not limited
to women only.
"Say to the believing men that they should lower their gaze and guard
their modesty; that will make for greater purity for them; and Allah
is well acquainted with all that they do. And say to the believing
women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; and
that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what
must ordinarily appear thereof; that they shoulddraw their veils over
their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands..."
(Qur'an 24:30-31)
According to Jabir ibn Abdullah, when he askedthe Prophet (pbuh),
about a man�s gaze falling inadvertently on a strange woman, the
Prophet replied, "Turn your eyes away" (Muslim). In another tradition,
the Prophet (pbuh) chided for looking again at a woman � he said, the
second glance is from Satan.
So, contrary to popular belief, Muslim and non-Muslim, hijab is not
worn for men; to keep their illicit desires in check � that is their
own responsibility, as the above verse and Prophetic sayings show.
Rather, Muslim women wear it for God and theirown selves. Islam is a
religion of moderation and of balance between extremes. Therefore, it
does not expect women alone to uphold society�s morality and
uprightness. Rather, Islam asks men and women mutually to strive to
create a healthysocial environment where children may grow with
positive, beautiful, constructive and practical values and concepts.
In fact, for many women hijab is a constant reminder that they should
not have to design their lives and bodies for men. "Before I started
covering, I thought of myself based on what others thought of me. I
see that too often in girls, their happiness depends on how others
view them, especially men. Ever since, my opinion of myself has
changed so much; I have gained (a lot of) self-respect. I have
realized whether others may think of me as beautiful is not what
matters. How beautiful I think of myself and knowing that Allah finds
me beautiful makes me feel beautiful," Baig recounts.
The concept of modesty and hijab in Islam is holistic, and encompasses
both men and women. The ultimate goal is to maintain societal
stability and to please God.
Since Muslim women aremore conspicuous because of their appearance, it
is easier for people to associate them with the warped images they see
in the print and broadcast media. Hence, stereotypes are perpetuated
and Muslim women often seem"mysterious" to those not acquainted with
the religious meanings of hijab. This aura of"mystery" cannot be
removed until their lifestyles, beliefs and thought-systems are
genuinely explored. And,this cannot be achieved until one is not
afraid respectfully to approach Muslim women � or men for that matter.
So, the next time you see a Muslim, stop and talk to them � you�ll
feel, God-Willing, as if you�re entering a different world, the world
of Islam: full of humility, piety, and of course, modesty!
1. (pbuh) here stands forpeace be upon him
by Saulat Pervez

The Hijab as Daw'ah

Most Muslims are familiar with the variousreasons that Allah has
required women to wear hijab: The hijab reflects modesty, purity and
respect; it lessens temptation so that more serious sins will be
avoided; it protects women from the harm and molestation of evil men;
a woman who wears hijab will be evaluated for her intelligence and
skills rather than her appearance.
One important aspect that is often overlooked,however, is that the
hijab is a symbol of Muslim identity. A woman who covers her head is
making a statement that she is a member of the Muslim community and
that she follows a particular codeof moral conduct.
Allah says: "O Prophet, tell your wives and daughters and the
believing women to draw their outer garments around them. That is more
suitable that they will be known (as Muslims and chaste believing
women) and not be abused." [Qur'an, 33:59]
"...that they will be known..." In America, where Islam is the fastest
growing religion (alhumdullilah), many people are coming to know what
this head covering really signifies and to understand the religion
that mandates it. The hijab, in effect, is an amazingly powerful tool
for dawah; one that Muslims themselves are probably not even aware of.
As with any tool, the key for effectiveness is appropriate and
knowledgeable use.
The most obvious first step would be for Muslim women to actually wear
the hijab. It is a tragic and upsetting phenomenon to see so many
Muslims dressing in the manner of the disbelievers (blue jeans,
T-shirts, short skirts, even shorts). The Prophet, sallalahu allahe wa
salam, said;"Whoever resembles a people is one of them." (Abu Dawood).
This is not only happening in America and other Western countries as
people attempt to assimilate and adopt thepractices of the prevailing
culture, but it is also occurring in Muslim countries at an alarming
rate.
A woman who refuses towear the hijab is disobeying Allah and
committing a serious sin,putting worldly pleasures above
spiritualattainment, and neglecting her duty to the religion of Islam.
Many scholars agree thatthe only reason a Muslimmay live in a
non-Muslimcountry is to conduct dawah and bring peopleto the true
religion. Howcan a woman perform dawah for Islam when she is not even
practicing it herself? To do this would be a form of hypocrisy and it
will not be successful.
Once a woman begins towear hijab she completes a large portion of her
responsibility for dawah with very little effort. Each time that she
goes to the grocery store, the library, to work, to school, or to any
other public place, she is spreading the magnificent message of Islam.
This is not only because of the outer hijab that she wears, butmore
importantly, the modesty of her behaviorthat accompanies it. When a
woman refrains from flirting with men, limits physical contact, and is
reserved and respectful, people may become curious and want to learn
more about this intriguing faith. It may just sow theseeds of
something wonderful.
At the University where I teach (which happens tobe a private,
Catholic school), women are often interested in my manner of dress and
demeanor. Each semester I have at least one student who requests my
involvementin a project for another class, usually comparative
religions. They are surprised whenthey learn the rationale for this
injunction and the fact that it was part of their religious heritage
as well. If I chose not to wear hijab, I would miss these wonderful
opportunitiesto share the beauty, peace and universality of my faith.
When there is the possibility for further discussion with those who
are interested, knowledge and understanding of the topic are
imperative. A very effective technique is to relate the concept to
something that is familiar to the other person. Some examples of
questions that could be posed include:
*. "Did you every wonderwhy Mary, the mother Jesus (alayhes salam)
wore clothing very similar to that of Muslims?"
*. "Why do Catholic nuns dress the way they do?"
*. "Did you know that in the Canon laws of the Catholic church today
there is a law that requires women to cover their heads in church?"
*. "Have you read in I Corinthians (Bible, 11:3-10) the verses
thatPaul wrote: 'Every man who prays of prophesies with his head
covered dishonors his head. And evey woman who prays or prophesies
with her head uncovered dishonors her head - it is just as though her
head were shaved. If a woman doesn't cover her head, she should have
her hair cut off; and if it is a disgrace for a woman to have her hair
cut off or shaved off, she should cover her head."
*. "Did you know that there are some Christian denominations, namely
the Amish and the Mennonites, who still require women to wear the head
covering?"
*. "Were you aware that is was the custom of Jewish women to go out in
public with a head covering and thatsome denominations still practice
this today?"
These discussion points demonstrate the obviousfact that the head
cover was not introduced by Islam, but rather that this requirement
has been in place for thousands of years. This can also be a cogent
segue to more crucial topics such as the fact that Moses, alayhes
salam, Jesus, alayhes salam and Muhammad, sallalahu allahe wa salam,
were all prophets of the same God and that they each carried the same
basic message. Islam corrected the errors that had been introduced
into previousrevelations by humans and completed the process that was
planned by Allah.
We should be proud to be Muslim. We should also be grateful for the
gift that Allah has given to each one of us: The perfect truth of
Islam that is our key to paradise. All others are being deluded by
Satan and following paths to destruction. With our gift comes the
responsibility to share the truth with those who are less fortunate.
We are all responsible tocarry the light of Islam. The hijab is an
outward manifestation of this light that burns within, and it can be
an effective tool for fulfillment of our obligation. We choose whether
to develop this light into a bright, radiant star or let it be
extinguished by foolish and selfish desires. May Allah guide each of
us to the true path.

Story,- The Boats of the Glen Carrig: Chapter 5

V
THE GREAT STORM
NOW, AS I have said, we came at last in safety to the open sea, and so
for a time had some degree of peace; though it was long ere we threw
off allof the terror which the Land of Lonesomeness had cast over our
hearts.
And one more matter there is regarding that land, which my memory
recalls. It will be remembered that George found certain wrappers upon
which there was writing. Now, in the haste of our leaving, he had
given no thought to take them with him; yet a portion of one he found
within the side pocket of his jacket, and it ran somewhat thus:--
"But I hear my lover's voice wailing in the night, and I go to find
him; for my loneliness is not to be borne. May Godhave mercy upon me!"
And that was all.
For a day and a night westood out from the land towards the North,
having a steady breeze to which we set our lug sails, and so made very
good way, the sea being quiet, though with a slow, lumbering swell
from the Southward.
It was on the morning ofthe second day of our escape that we met with
the beginnings of our adventure into the SilentSea, the which I am
about to make as clear asI am able.
The night had been quiet, and the breeze steady until near on to the
dawn, when the wind slacked away to nothing, and we lay there waiting,
perchancethe sun should bring the breeze with it. And this itdid; but
no such wind as we did desire; for when the morning came upon us, we
discovered all thatpart of the sky to be full of a fiery redness,
which presently spread away down to the South, so that an entire
quarter of the heavens was, as it seemed to us, a mighty arc of
blood-colored fire.
Now, at the sight of these omens, the bo'sun gave orders to prepare
the boats for the storm which we had reason to expect, looking for it
in the South, for it was from that direction that the swell came
rolling upon us. With this intent,we roused out so much heavy canvas
as the boats contained, for we had gotten a bolt and a half from the
hulk in the creek; also the boat covers which we could lash down to
the brass studs under the gunnels of the boats. Then, in each boat, we
mounted the whaleback--which had been stowed along the tops of the
thwarts--also its supports, lashing the same to the thwarts below the
knees. Then we laid two lengths of the stout canvas the full length of
the boat over the whaleback, overlapping and nailing them to the same,
so thatthey sloped away down over the gunnels upon each side as though
theyhad formed a roof to us. Here, whilst some stretched the canvas,
nailing its lower edges to the gunnel, others were employed in lashing
together the oarsand the mast, and to this bundle they secured a
considerable length of new three-and-a-half-inch hemp rope, which we
had brought away from the hulk along with the canvas. This rope was
then passed over the bows and in through the painter ring, and thence
to the forrard thwarts, where it was made fast, and we gave attention
to parcel it with odd strips of canvas against danger of chafe. And
the same was done in both of the boats, for we could not put our trust
inthe painters, besides which they had not sufficient length to secure
safe and easy riding.
Now by this time we hadthe canvas nailed down to the gunnel around our
boat, after which wespread the boat-cover over it, lacing it down to
the brass studs beneath the gunnel. And so we had all the boat covered
in, save a place in the stern where a man mightstand to wield the
steering oar, for the boats were double bowed. And in each boatwe made
the same preparation, lashing all movable articles, and preparing to
meet so great a storm as might well fill the heart with terror; for
the sky cried out to us that it would be no light wind, and further,
the great swell from the South grew more huge with every hour that
passed; thoughas yet it was without virulence, being slow and oily and
black against the redness of the sky.
Presently we were ready,and had cast over the bundle of oars and the
mast, which was to serveas our sea-anchor, and so we lay waiting. It
was at this time that the bo'sun called over to Josh certain advice
with regard to that which lay before us. And after that the two of
them sculled the boats a little apart; for there might be a danger of
their being dashed together by the first violence of the storm.
And so came a time of waiting, with Josh and the bo'sun each of them
at the steering oars, and the rest of us stowed away under the
coverings. From where I crouched near the bo'sun, I had sight of Josh
away upon our portside: he was standing up black as a shape of night
against the mighty redness, when the boat came to the foamless crowns
of the swells, andthen gone from sight in the hollows between.
Now midday had come and gone, and we had made shift to eat so good a
meal as our appetites would allow; for we had no knowledge how long it
might be ere we should have chance of another, if, indeed, we had ever
need to think more of such. And then, in the middle part of the
afternoon, we heard the first cryings of the storm--a far-distant
moaning, rising and falling most solemnly.
Presently, all the Southern part of the horizon so high up, maybe, as
some seven to ten degrees, was blotted out by a great black wall of
cloud, over which the red glare came down upon the great swells as
though from the light of some vast and unseen fire. It was about this
time, I observed that the sun had the appearance of a great full moon,
being pale and clearly defined, and seeming to have no warmth nor
brilliancy; and this, as may be imagined, seemed most strange to us,
the more so because of the redness in the South and East.
And all this while the swells increased most prodigiously; though
without making broken water: yet they informedus that we had done
wellto take so much precaution; for surely they were raised by a very
great storm. A little before evening, the moaning came again, and then
a space of silence; after which there rose a very sudden bellowing, as
of wild beasts, and then once more the silence.
About this time, the bo'sun making no objection, I raised my head
above the cover until I was in a standing position; for, until now,
Ihad taken no more than occasional peeps; and I was very glad of the
chance to stretch my limbs; for I had grown mightily cramped. Having
stirred the sluggishness of my blood, I sat me down again; but in such
position that I could see every part of the horizonwithout difficulty.
Aheadof us, that is to the South, I saw now that the great wall of
cloud had risen some further degrees, and there was something less of
the redness; though, indeed,what there was left of it was sufficiently
terrifying; for it appeared to crest the black cloud like red foam,
seeming, it might be, as though a mighty sea made ready to break over
the world.
Towards the West, the sun was sinking behind a curious red-tinted
haze, which gave it the appearance of a dull red disk. To the North,
seeming very high in thesky, were some flecks of cloud lying
motionless, and of a very pretty rose color. And here I may remark
that all the sea tothe North of us appearedas a very ocean of dull red
fire; though, as might be expected, the swells, coming up from the
South, against the light were so many exceeding great hills of
blackness.
It was just after I had made these observationsthat we heard again the
distant roaring of the storm, and I know not how to convey the
exceeding terror of that sound. It was as though some mighty beast
growled far down towards the South; and it seemed to make very clear
to me that we werebut two small craft in a very lonesome place. Then,
even while the roaring lasted, I saw a sudden light flare up, as it
were from the edge of the Southern horizon. It had somewhat the
appearance of lightning;yet vanished not immediately, as is the wont
of lightning; and more, it had not been myexperience to witness such
spring up from out of the sea, but, rather, down from the heavens. Yet
I have little doubt butthat it was a form of lightning; for it came
many times after this, so that I had chance to observe it minutely.
And frequently, as I watched, the storm would shout atus in a most
fearsome manner.
Then, when the sun was low upon the horizon, there came to our ears a
very shrill, screaming noise, most penetrating and distressing, and,
immediately afterwards the bo'sun shouted out something in a hoarse
voice, and commenced to sway furiously upon the steering oar. I saw
his stare fixed upon a point a little on our larboard bow, and
perceived that in that direction the sea was all blown up into vast
clouds of dust-like froth, and I knew that the storm was upon us.
Immediately afterwards a cold blast struck us; butwe suffered no harm,
forthe bo'sun had gotten the boat bows-on by this. The wind passed us,
and there was an instantof calm. And now all the air above us was full
of acontinuous roaring, so very loud and intense that I was like to be
deafened. To windward, I perceived an enormouswall of spray bearing
down upon us, and I heard again the shrill screaming, pierce through
the roaring. Then, the bo'sun whipped in his oar under the cover, and,
reaching forward, drew the canvas aft, so that it covered the entire
boat, and he held it down against the gunnel upon the starboard side,
shouting in my ear to do likewise upon the larboard. Now had it not
been for this forethought on the part of the bo'sun we had been all
dead men; and this may be the better believed when I explain that we
felt the water falling upon the stout canvas overhead, tons and tons,
though so beaten to froth as to lacksolidity to sink or crush us. I
have said "felt"; for Iwould make it so clear asmay be, here once and
for all, that so intense was the roaring and screaming of the
elements, there could no sound have penetrated to us, no! not the
pealingof mighty thunders. And so for the space of maybe a full minute
the boat quivered and shookmost vilely, so that she seemed like to
have been shaken in pieces, and from a dozen places between the gunnel
and the covering canvas, the water spurted in upon us. And here one
other thing I would make mention of: During that minute, the boat had
ceased to rise and fall upon the great swell, and whether this was
because the sea was flattened by the first rush of the wind, or that
the excess of the storm held her steady, I am unable to tell; and can
put down only that which we felt.
Now, in a little, the first fury of the blast being spent, the boat
began to sway from side to side, as though the wind blewnow upon the
one beam,and now upon the other;and several times we were stricken
heavily with the blows of solid water. But presently this ceased, and
we returnedonce again to the rise and fall of the swell, onlythat now
we received a cruel jerk every time thatthe boat came upon the top of
a sea. And so a while passed.
Towards midnight, as I should judge, there came some mighty flames of
lightning, so bright that they lit up the boat through the double
covering of canvas; yet no man of us heard aught of the thunder; for
the roaring of the storm made all else a silence.
And so to the dawn, afterwhich, finding that we were still, by the
mercy of God, possessed of our lives, we made shift to eat and drink;
after which we slept.
Now, being extremely wearied by the stress of the past night, I
slumbered through many ours of the storm, waking at some time between
noon and evening. Overhead, as I lay looking upwards, thecanvas showed
of a dull leadenish color, blackened completely at whiles by the dash
of spray and water. And so, presently, having eaten again, and feeling
that all things lay in the hands of the Almighty, I came once more
upon sleep.
Twice through the following night was I wakened by the boat being
hurled upon her beam-ends by the blows of the seas; but she righted
easily, and took scarce any water, the canvas proving a very roof of
safety. And so themorning came again.
Being now rested, I crawled after to where the bo'sun lay, and, the
noise of the storm lullingodd instants, shouted in his ear to know
whether the wind was easing at whiles. To this he nodded, whereat I
felt a most joyful sense of hope pulse through me, and ate such food
as could be gotten, with a very good relish.
In the afternoon, the sunbroke out suddenly, lighting up the boat most
gloomily through the wet canvas; yet a very welcome light it was, and
bred in us a hope that the storm was near to breaking. In a little,
the sun disappeared; but, presently, it coming again, the bo'sun
beckoned to me to assist him, and we removed such temporary nails as
we had used to fasten down the after part of the canvas, and pushed
back the covering a space sufficient to allow our heads to go through
into the daylight. On looking out, I discoveredthe air to be full of
spray,beaten as fine as dust, and then, before I could note aught
else, a little gout of water took me inthe face with such force as to
deprive me of breath; so that I had to descend beneath the canvas for
a little while.
So soon as I was recovered, I thrust forth my head again, and nowI had
some sight of the terrors around us. As each huge sea came towards us,
the boat shot up to meet it, right up to its very crest, and there,
for the space of some instants, we would seem to be swamped in a very
ocean of foam, boiling up on each side of the boat to the height of
many feet. Then, the sea passing from under us, we would go swooping
dizzily down the great, black, froth-splotched back of the wave, until
the oncoming sea caught us up most mightily. Odd whiles, the crest of
a sea would hurl forward before we had reached the top, and though the
boat shot upward like a veritable feather, yet thewater would swirl
right over us, and we would have to draw in our heads most suddenly;
in such cases the wind flapping the cover down so soon as our hands
were removed. And, apart from the way in which the boat met the seas,
there was a very sense of terror in the air;the continuous roaring and
howling of the storm; the screaming of the foam, as the frothy summits
of the briny mountains hurled past us, and the wind that tore the
breath out of our weak human throats, are things scarceto be
conceived.
Presently, we drew in our heads, the sun having vanished again, and
nailed down the canvas once more, and so prepared for the night.
From here on until the morning, I have very little knowledge of any
happenings; for I slept much of the time, and, for the rest, there was
little to know, cooped upbeneath the cover. Nothing save the
interminable, thundering swoop of theboat downwards, and then the halt
and upward hurl, and the occasional plunges and surges to larboard or
starboard, occasioned, I can only suppose, by the indiscriminate might
of the seas.
I would make mention here, how that I had little thought all this
while for the peril of the other boat, and, indeed, I was so very full
of our own that it is no matter at which to wonder. However, as it
proved, and as this is a most suitable place in which to tell it, the
boat that held Josh and the rest of the crew came through the storm
with safety; though it was not until many years afterwards that I had
the good fortune to hear from Josh himself how that, after the storm,
they were picked up by a homeward-bound vessel,and landed in the Port
ofLondon. [ tobe continued....]