206 THE ALBATROSS. 



Preparations for albatross-catching were already 

 going bravely forward in the waist. The sailors 

 were busy rigging a long, stout fish-line with a 

 big cod-hook at the end. They were getting a 

 liberal slice of salt-pork to bait the hook. That 

 never fails. 



" Well," said my mate, " I notice that my 

 opinions don't weigh any too heavy with you; 

 but tell me, sir, have you ever killed an albatross 

 before?" 



" Lots of them. Last time I was rounding the 

 Cape of Good Hope I killed half-a-dozen. Why, 

 if I'm not mistaken, it was only a few sea-miles 

 from where we are just now." 



" And no unpleasant consequence followed ? " 



" Oh, well, to be frank with you, I did come 

 near losing my ship within a few days after that." 



"See," said Russell, "see how that bird hovers 

 over the main-mast truck ! The creature must 

 measure at least ten feet across those wings! 

 And think of it, sir, the albatross has followed 

 us for three days now — or is it four ? But 

 pardon the interruption — what was that about 

 all but losing your ship?" 



" Why, it was on one of my voyages homeward 

 from the Indian Ocean. We were lying to in a 

 gale. And all of a sudden the wind changed and 



