ISLANDS 45 



nique or off the latter island, but here they were 

 in dozens, leaping for breath with the regularity 

 of machinery. Now and then the spirit of play 

 would possess one and he vaulted high in air, 

 ten feet above the surface, twisted and fell 

 broadside with a slap which could be heard a 

 half-mile away. Then several simultaneously 

 did the same thing. A school would come close 

 alongside, slacken speed to that of the vessel, 

 and now and then dive beneath and appear off 

 the opposite quarter. Another trick was for one 

 or two to station themselves just ahead of the 

 bow and remain motionless, urged on by the 

 pressure of the water from behind. It was 

 very unexpected and very splendid to have this 

 battalion of magnificent cetaceans, bursting with 

 vital energy and fullness of life, injected with- 

 out warning into the calm quiet of this tropical 

 sea. 



We anchored off Basseterre and waited in 

 vain for the doctor. There seemed no chance of 

 landing for some time, so several of us dived 

 off and swam about the ship for an hour. The 

 joy of this tropical water is something which 

 can be communicated only by experience. It 

 was so transparent that in diving one hardly 



