20 



the tide rose she drifted off, and with but little harm 

 done. The gentleman-pilot then thought proper 

 to return on shore, took a very polite leave of the 

 lady-passengers, and departed with all the urbanity 

 possible ; only thinking the captain the strangest 

 person that he had ever met with ; and wondering 

 that any man of common sense could be put out of 

 temper by such a trifle. 



December 7. 

 Yesterday we had the satisfaction of falling in 

 with the trade wind, and now we are proceeding 

 both rapidly and steadily. The change of climate 

 is very perceptible; and the deep and beautiful 

 blue which colours the sea is a certain intima- 

 tion of our approach to the tropic. A few flying 

 fish have made their appearance ; and the spears 

 are getting in order for the reception of their 

 constant attendant, the dolphin. These spears 

 have ropes affixed to them, and at one end of the 

 pole are five barbs, at the other a heavy ball of 

 lead : then, when the fish is speared, the striker 

 lets the staff fall, on which down goes the lead into 

 the sea, and up goes the dolphin into the air, who 

 is in the utmost astonishment to find itself all of a 

 sudden turned into a flying fish ; so determines to 

 cultivate the art of flying for the future, and pro- 

 mises itself a great many pleasant airings. The 

 dolphin and the flying fish are beautifully coloured, 

 and both are very good food, particularly the latter, 



