cords of actual facts。 Holding them in hand I have examined the places that they describe； and therefore to this I can testify。 Those men and women lived； they did the things that are recorded； or most of them； and for the reasons that remain to us。 Of course certain circumstances have been added； namely those which deal with the supernatural。
The entries in my diary for the first five days of that disastrous voyage are brief and emphatic。
20th： At sea。 Bad weather。 21st： Gale。 22nd： Worse gale。 23rd： Worse gale still。 Lay to。 24th： Tried to go about four o’clock。 Strained the ship so much that we had to lay to again。
Indeed； with a single exception； that of a voyage I made many years later in the P。 & O。 Macedonia； the weather was the most terrible that I have ever experienced at sea。 Moreover； in our small vessel there is no doubt that we were in some peril of foundering。 The terrific seas swept her continually； and； in order to keep the hundreds of ponies alive。 it was necessary that the hatches should remain open； since otherwise they would have been stifled。 Had any accident occurred to bring the ship broadside on； such as the breaking of the steering gear； it would seem that we must have filled and sunk at once。 As it was we were greatly knocked about； and a good many of the poor ponies died from the cold of the water that washed over them。
At last the weather moderated； and about ten A。M。 on the 25th we arrived off Thurso in a dead calm。