212 The Bonito 



the old brig along so gently over the glassy sea, which 

 was untouched by the descent of the slightest air, that 

 sitting out upon the jib-boom end one could look 

 down into the translucent depths as through a pane 

 of glass, and watch the gambols of the sea-creatures 

 at a depth of several fathoms. 



So quiet had been the weather for several days, 

 and so little did the passing of the ship disturb the 

 sea-folk that there was almost as great a variety 

 around us, ranging from the tiny silvery fry playing 

 hide and seek among the deadly fringes of the mush- 

 room-like Medusae, to the mighty albacore, as one 

 would have expected to see in the most representative 

 aquarium. Only that here there was no suggestion 

 of bounds to that vast play and feeding ground. 

 Suddenly there came from the fore-to'-gallant yard 

 a cry of ' breakers ahead, sir.' 



' What's that ? ' sharply queried the ' old man.' 



The man repeated his information. 



' Nonsense ! ' angrily snapped the skipper, * the 

 nearest land ain't less than three hundred mile off, 

 and there ain't any bottom here less than eighteen 

 thousand fathom. Pop up aloft, Mr. Jones (to the 

 mate) an' see what that galoot's a-gittin off his chest.' 



Up went the mate on the instant, taking the 

 glasses with him. Presently he shouted : ' I can't 

 make it out, sir ; it looks just like a line of breakers 

 extendin' from west to east, as far as I can see with 

 the glasses. But it ain't breakers, 'cause I can see 

 nothin' but just the single line, and beyond it the 

 water's smooth as 'tis here. Looks like a tide rip, 

 only I never see one so monstrous as that.' 



By this time the phenomenon, whatever it was, 

 had arrived within a mile of us, and was evidently 

 travelling at the rate of about six miles an hour. A 



