244 THE OCEAN 



particularly the speaking, of another ship. Even in 

 crossing the Atlantic this is the case ; but how much 

 more in a voyage to the Pacific, where many months 

 may elapse without the appearance of a vessel ! The 

 call of "Sail ho!" has an electric effect: all the 

 telescopes on board are soon pointed towards her ; 

 her rig, her canvas, her direction, the force of wind 

 she has, the tack she is on, if " by the wind," are 

 all carefully scrutinized and commented on. If the 

 courses of the two vessels, and their positions, • are 

 such that they will approach very near to each other, 

 they will " speak," as a matter of course ; but there 

 are few commanders so churlish as not to submit 

 to a slight deviation of their course in order to com- 

 municate with another. Perhaps the stranger is seen 

 directly astern, following right in the wake, a circum- 

 stance which, as far as my own observation extends, 

 commonly excites a slight feeling of uneasiness, 

 and a more than usual attention to her appearance, 

 powers of sailing, &c. Though the reason assures 

 one that the occurrence of a ship in that particular 

 direction, is as likely as in any other quarter, yet 

 the mind will recur to the idea of pursuit, and 

 thoughts of walking the plank, or hanging at the 

 yard-arm, will crowd up to the imagination, especially 

 if the locality happen to be the West Indies, or the 

 Spanish Main, or any other sea habitually infested 

 with pirates. But as she gains a greater nearness, 

 her hull and rig indicate her to be a peaceful trader, 

 and presently the bunting is run up to the peak, and 

 the folds of England's fair ensign flow out upon the 

 breeze. The approach of a vessel is always a pleasing 



