214 THE ALBATROSS. 



again suffered any fear. I think she regarded 

 herself as one who had endured the worst there 

 was to endure, and resolved not to be annoyed by 

 trifles thereafter. 



"We rounded the Cape, and then the weather 

 became more pleasant. We steered for the 

 Mozambique Channel, keeping the watch on deck 

 busy preparing craft and cutting-gear for whaling. 

 We might see whales at any time now. 



Since that roaring gale off the Cape, the chief 

 mate had never mentioned the albatross. But I 

 could, nevertheless, see that his mind was not at 

 rest. He thought albatross, dreamed albatross, 

 and, as I thought, even looked albatross. When 

 the weather moderated and came off warm and 

 pleasant with favorable winds, I watched him 

 with a curious interest. A last I broached the 

 matter myself. 



" Mr. Russell," I said, " it strikes me we 're 

 going to come off alive after all, spite of that 

 cannibal pot-pie ! " 



" I tell you what, Cap'n Robbins," he answered, 

 unmistakably nettled, " we 're not home yet ! 

 No, sir, not by a long sea mile ! " 



No sooner had he spoken those ominous words 

 than I observed a huge rolling swell, miles in 

 extent, and straight as the spanker-boom, coming 



