POKPESSES. 3 



water and mouldy biscuit, or tossing about restlessly in 

 the narrow berth, to the disturbance and sometimes 

 death of vagrant cockroaches, who had trespassed under 

 the blanket, and whose number was legion. 



In the surrounding water, one could trace the meteor 

 course of some monster of the deep, whose dive left 

 behind a long brilliant stream of fire like a rocket. 

 Suddenly the ocean would apparently become alive with 

 these flashes of light, as a shoal of porpesses dashed into 

 sight with the velocity of a troop of wild horse, leaping 

 and shying in their merry race. They cross the brilliant 

 wake of the ship, and, with a regular wheel, like a 

 squadron of cavalry, charge after her. The ten knots 

 per hour that the log has given as the gallant ship's 

 speed, make but little difference to these aquatic rovers. 

 They open their line as they near, and now they are 

 under the stern ; in a second they have passed, in a few 

 more are far on ahead, jumping about near the bows, 

 and taking each valley of the rolling sea in true sporting 

 style. Then, with another sweep, they dash down upon 

 us, and, after inspecting the ship for a minute, disappear 

 with the same reckless speed, leaving two or three out- 

 siders, who, not getting a fair start, appear to ply whip 

 and spur to regain their position with the main body. 

 The sea is then doubly dark and mysterious. 



The morning light would show the ocean covered with 

 the beautiful little Portuguese men-of-war (Physalus), 

 whose brilliant reflection of the prismatic colours would 

 raise a feeling of ambition for their capture. An hour was 

 passed in the endeavour to become more closely acquainted 



