GANNETS LEAVING NORTH BIRD ROCK 



CHAPTER IX * 



TO BIRD ROCK IN AN OPEN BOAT 



Come on, sir ; here's the place : standstill. How fearful 

 And dizzy 'tis to cast one's eyes so low. 



SHAKESPEARE, " King Lear." 



ONE short experience of such a miracle of nature as 

 Bird Rock is as tantalizing as a glimpse into Para- 

 dise. Ever since the famous rock, with its beetling 

 cliffs and whirring multitude of sea-fowl, faded from my sight 

 four years ago on that dark evening, angry with the threat 

 of storm, it has periodically risen before my imagination. 

 Again I could seem to hear the crash of the surf against the 

 cliffs, the varied voices of the birds forming with it a grander 

 symphony than any human orchestra could play. It was only 

 a question of time when I must return, especially as there was 

 another and impelling motive to enforce this desire. Since 



