INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER. 41 



the garden warbler, perched upon the yards of the 

 frigate, and, being quite exhausted by the length 

 of their flight, suffered themselves to be taken by 

 the hand. At his request they were given to 

 him, and he carried them to the great cabin, 

 where he endeavoured to cheer the poor little 

 wayworn voyagers by caresses and feeding. Find- 

 ing them, however, too much alarmed to eat or 

 repose, he let them loose. 



" Whether they foresaw the storm which we 

 encountered the following day," says he, "or 

 whether, as no land was in sight, they were afraid 

 to trust themselves to the open sea, I know not ; 

 but, after a few moments of uncertain flight, they 

 returned by the same window whence I had let 

 them fly. From that time they never quitted the 

 cabin ; and if, when frightened by any noise, they 

 went out of one of the stern windows, or by a 

 port, they were sure to come back by another. 

 Although of different species, they lived in the 

 greatest harmony ; they played upon those terri- 

 ble machines which deal death and destruction, 

 and it was indeed upon a cannon that was placed 

 their little provision of fresh water and crumbs of 

 bread. It served them also as a roosting -place. 

 Their confidence was unbounded ; they fluttered 

 over a table at which twenty persons somewhat 

 noisy were daily seated ; and with their chirping, 



