FLYING-FISH. 201 



responds, in a long drawn-out note, " Kootchnai," 

 (I see nothing). Then the quartermaster, also on the 

 forward bridge, in English, with a fuller, rounder 

 and louder key, announces that " All's well !" and so 

 on, at every half-hour of the night, if you should 

 happen to be awake, you may know that faithful 

 men are at their posts, guiding your ship through 

 the darkness on her way to your desired haven. 



What small events relieve the monotony of a lands- 

 man's life at sea. To meet a ship is a wonderful 

 sight after looking for a week or a fortnight at the 

 wide waste of waters ; a whale, a school of porpoises, 

 a whole flock of flying-fish, startled into the air by 

 the rude intrusion of our huge leviathan, ploughing 

 sans ceremonie right in among them. Sometimes 

 these little creatures, when once out of the water, will 

 fly straight for the lights of the ship. 



One came on board a few evenings ago. It fell on 

 the deck, and one of the stewards brought it into the 

 dining-saloon for us to look at. I have seen them in 

 thousands in various parts of the Pacific Ocean, but 

 never thought them so large. This one was quite a 

 foot in length, and would weigh not less than a pound. 

 Its wings were about half the size of a lady's fan. 



Well, well, what next ? Here's something more 



exciting. All's well that ends well, and so, I suppose, 

 14 



