TOM AND THE MAN-OF-WAR. 165 



They rapidly crossed the channel, by Sand 

 and Middle Keys, and in an hour were on the 

 great reef that surrounded East Key. The wind 

 had died away entirely, and a dead calm left the 

 sails hanging straight and lifeless. 



" Well," said the doctor, " I'm afraid we shall 

 have to pull for it. But it is only about three 

 miles to the key, and, by working slowly along, 

 we may pick up some specimens." 



Long John, who was sculling the dinghy 

 alongside, kept pace with the larger boat, and his 

 watchful eye saw many a choice specimen that 

 their inexperienced eyes would have overlooked. 

 The water was about fifteen feet deep, and so 

 clear that the smallest shells could easily be seen 

 from above as the boats drifted leisurely along. 



" See those angel-fishes ; how they resemble 

 birds ! " said the doctor, pointing to a number of 

 them gliding in and out among the coral branches. 

 " They sweep down, a score at a time, as if they 

 were a flock of birds-of-paradise ; and there is a 

 parrot-fish. Steady a moment ! " 



" It seems too bad to kill this beautiful 

 creature ! " said Harry. 



