76 



IN AUSTRALIAN WILDS 



On a subsequent voyage poor "Tommy" went over- 

 board in a storm. Though his death was tragic, I 

 doubt whether any cat had a happier life; nothing 

 much to worry about, and unlimited supplies of fish. 



Sea birds Gulls, Albatrosses, Terns, and Petrels 

 were in constant attendance on the Endeavour. 

 They were aware, apparently, that wherever the 



LINE -FISHING FROM THE "ENDEAVOUR." 



steamer went, the chance of obtaining food was ex- 

 cellent. As the trawl rose from the deep, fishes 

 which had been crushed through meshes of the "cod- 

 end" floated, and those that members of the crew were 

 unable to rescue with long-handled gaffs were snapped 

 up by the watchful birds. And when the "pond" 

 refuse was cast overboard the birds enjoyed a merry 

 scramble. From the stern, one day, I photographed 

 several Albatrosses. But the steamer dipped just 

 as the camera shutter clicked, and I nearly lurched 

 into the sea. 



