SECOND JOURNEY. 



75 



appear to use every exertion to prolong their flight, but 

 vain are all their efforts; for when the last drop of 

 water on their wings is dried up, their flight is at an 

 end, and they must drop into the ocean. Some are 

 instantly devoured . by their merciless pursuer, part 

 escape by swimming, and others get out again as quick 

 as possible, and trust once more to their wings. 



It often happens that this unfortunate little creature, 

 after alternate dips and flights, finding all its exertions 

 of no avail, at last drops on board the vessel, verifying 

 the old remark, 



" Incidit in Scyllam, cupiens vitare Charybdim." 



There, stunned by the fall, it beats the deck with its 

 tail and dies. When eating it, you would take it for a 

 fresh herring. The largest measure from fourteen to 

 fifteen inches in length. The dolphin, after pursuing 

 it to the ship, sometimes forfeits his own life. 



In days of yore, the musician used to play in softest, 

 sweetest strain, and then take an airing amongst the 

 dolphins; " inter delphinas Arion." Eut now-a-days, 

 our tars have quite capsized the custom ; and instead 

 of riding ashore on the dolphin, they invite the dolphin 

 aboard. While he is darting and playing around the 

 vessel, a sailor goes out to the spritsailyard-arm, and 

 with a long staff, leaded at one end, and armed at the 

 other with five barbed spikes, he heaves it at him. If 

 successful in his aim, there is a fresh mess for all hands. 

 The dying dolphin affords a superh and brilliant sight: 



" Mille trahit moriens, adverso sole colores." 



All the colours of the rainbow pass and repass in rapid 

 succession over his body, till the dark hand of death 

 closes the scene. 



