water, at the bottom of which is a thin layer of 

 grayish mud. 



This nocturnal visit is but another of many peri- 

 odic observations made every two hours for these 

 several days and nights past. That, during the 

 daytime, I should keep careful check on the activi- 

 ties of the serpent-stars, might be accepted as a 

 matter of course, as being part of the naturalist's 

 routine; but that I should throughout the hours of 

 darkness interrupt a dreamless slumber at regular 

 intervals, to steal, flashlight in hand, into this 

 room like a thief in the night, would indicate a 

 purpose to purloin secrets more precious to me than 

 gold. This, in truth, is well within the fact. My 

 absorption in the serpent-star is now such that 

 nothing else matters. And why should this be sur- 

 prising*? Have I not constituted myself a spokes- 

 man of all these lowly dwellers of the sea? Surely 

 I should not be worthy of the office were I unwil- 

 ling to sacrifice somewhat of sleep. Besides, many 

 are the moments of unalloyed joy which their con- 

 fidences confer; but aside from this there is an 

 interest, a fascination to workings of their mysteri- 

 ous ways that is fraught with a thrill, a pleasure 

 apart — but why set it down, these are esotericisms 



[67] 



