116 TEE CRUISE OF TEE ''CACHALOT:' 



After an hour's tow, we had got a good offing, and a 

 light air springing up, we returned on board, hoisted the 

 boats, and made sail to the northward again. 



With the exception of the numerous native dhows that 

 crept lazily about, we saw no vessels as we gradually 

 drew out of the Mozambique Channel and stood away 

 towards the Line. The part of the Indian Ocean in 

 which we now found ourselves is much dreaded by 

 merchantmen, who give it a wide berth on account of the 

 numerous banks, islets, and dangerous currents with 

 which it abounds. We, however, seemed quite at home 

 here, pursuing the even tenor of our usual way without 

 any special precautions being taken. A bright look-out 

 we always kept, of course — none of your drowsy lolling 

 about such as is all too common on the "fo'lk'sle head" of 

 many a fine ship, when, with lights half trimmed or not 

 shown at all, she is ploughing along blindly at twelve 

 knots or so an hour. No; while we were under way 

 during daylight, four pairs of keen eyes kept incessant 

 vigil a hundred feet above the deck, noting everything, 

 even to a shoal of small fish, that crossed within the 

 range of vision. At night we scarcely moved, but still 

 a vigilant look-out was always kept both fore and aft, 

 so that it would have been difficult for us to drift upon 

 a reef unknowingly. 



Creej)ing steadily northward, we passed the Cosmoledo 

 group of atolls without paying them a visit, which was 

 strange, as, from their appearance, no better fishing- 

 ground would be likely to come in our way. They are 

 little known, except to the wandering fishermen from 

 Eeunion and Eodriguez, who roam about these islets and 

 reefs, seeking anything that may be turned into coin, from 

 wrecks to turtle, and in nowise particular as to rights 



