A GLORIOUS SUNSET. 217 



islets. A few hours before sunset the joyful cry of 'land' 

 announced our approach to them, but as the breeze was 

 fresh, and the pilot was well acquainted with all the windings 

 of the channels, we held on, and dropped anchor before 

 twilight. If you have never seen the sun setting in those 

 latitudes, I would recommend you to make a voyage for 

 the purpose, for I much doubt if, in any other portion of the 

 world, the departure of the orb of day is accompanied with 

 such gorgeous appearances. Look at the great red disc, 

 increased to triple its ordinary dimensions. Now it has partially 

 sunk beneath the distant line of waters, and with its still 

 remaining half irradiates the whole heavens with a flood of 

 light, purpling the far-off clouds that hover over the western 

 horizon. A blaze of refulgent glory streams through the 

 portals of the west, and the masses of vapour assume the 

 semblance of mountains of molten gold. But the sun has now 

 disappeared, and from the east slowly advances the grey curtain 

 which night draws over the world. The night-hawk is flapping 

 his noiseless wings in the gentle sea breeze ; the terns, safely 

 landed, have settled on their nests ; the frigate pelicans are 

 seen wending their way to distant mangroves ; and the brown 

 gannet, in search of a resting-place, has perched on the yard of 

 the vessel. Slowly advancing landward, their heads alone above 

 the water, are observed the heavily-laden turtles, anxious to 

 deposit their eggs in the well-known sands. On the surface of 

 the gently rippling stream I dimly see their broad forms as they 

 toil along, while at intervals may be heard their hurried 

 breathings, indicative of suspicion and fear. The moon with 

 her silvery light now illumines the scene, and the turtle having 

 landed, slowly and laboriously drags her heavy body over the 

 sand, her ' ' flappers ' being better adapted for motion in water 

 than on the shore. Up the slope however she works her way, 

 and see how industriously she removes the sand beneath her, 

 casting it out on either side. Layer after layer she deposits her 

 eggs, arranging them in the most careful manner, and with her 

 hind paddles brings the sand over them. The business is 

 accomplished, the spot is covered over, and with a joyful heart 

 the turtle swiftly retires toward the shore and launches into 

 the deep. 



