FATAL — PEAK OF PICO. 45 



CHAPTER II. 



The next day after leaving Flores we passed witliin 

 Bight of Fayal. This island presented a gorgeous 

 appearance ; the many vineyards on the sloping 

 side of the mountains, looking to us like so many 

 squares in a quilt of the most luxurious green, form- 

 ing a patchwork of Dame Nature's handiwork, in 

 inimitable colors. An hour after, we saw the Peak 

 of Pico, rearing its cone-shaped pinnacle high in the 

 clouds. At its extreme summit, I noticed an aj)pear- 

 ance resembling a chimney, into which, I was 

 informed, steps were hewn for the convenience of 

 those whom curiosity led to ascend or descend the 

 acclivity. 



About this time, I recollect, we had our first ex- 

 perience of bending on to a sleeper. It is customary 

 in good weather (particularly whilst running down 

 the trades, when, from the regularity of the winds, 

 there is scarce any working ship to be done) for the 

 members of the watch, with the exception of the man 

 at the wheel and another on the look-out, to come on 

 deck, provided with two or three coats, for the pur- 

 pose of indulging in a caulk or sleep on deck. As 

 soon as the watch is all out, and the ofiicer has had 

 a look to assure himself of the fact, a soft plank in 

 the deck is selected on which one spreads himself, 

 covering up snug with the coats ; an example 

 religiously followed by the others. Soon they are as 



