26 PASSAGE TO KIO JANEIRO, BRAZIL. 



rays throwing light upon the verge of the horizon, while it 

 and the intermediate space between it and the ship, was ren- 

 dered dark by the shadow of the clonds. Similar appear- 

 ances caused by the moon, were seen during the night. 



On the 5th, we crossed the equator, in longitude 11° west. 

 The wind now blew from the southward and eastward. In 

 the course of the afternoon we saw many shoals of flying- 

 fish, and as they sprung unusually high into the air, we con- 

 cluded that they were chased by other fish. The flying-fish 

 has many enemies ; theboneta, albacore, dolphin, &c, &c, 

 are waging incessant war with them in the sea, and no 

 sooner do they take to flight, than the prowling frigate-bird, 

 or wide-a-wake, is ready to dash down among them, and 

 drive them once more to seek shelter in their own native 

 element. Very frequently, when they are trying to escape 

 from their enemies, they strike against the ship's side, and 

 are instantly killed. The largest of them are not over twelve 

 inches in length, but their fins are much larger in propor- 

 tion than those of other fish. Sailors sometimes eat them, 

 but they are not considered a good article of diet. 



An amusing circumstance occurred during the night of 

 the 9th of November. In our course we passed very near a 

 large sail, which, from the night being unusually dark, the 

 officer of the deck mistook for the " Yincennes," although 

 sailing on a different course. He immediately followed the 

 vessel, and continued after her until morning, when, to his 

 surprise, he discovered that it was a large Dutch ship. We 

 considered it a capital joke, and during the rest of the pas- 

 sage had many a hearty laugh over it. When the mis- 

 take was discovered we resumed our former course, and 

 soon after overtook the squadron again. 



On the 10th, 11th, 13th and 14th, we kept watch for the 

 periodical showers of stars. Forty were seen in the mid- 



