TWO JONAHS ON BOARD. 
Chap. X. 
took the matter very coolly, and told ns we should 
have to remain in our present position until the 
tide rose, when we should have water enough. This 
was all very well, and it turned out quite true ; 
but what if one of those sudden gales for which 
this coast is famous had come on in the mean time ! 
We had no fear for our lives, as we might easily 
have reached the shore in boats, but my beautiful 
collection of plants, which was on board, I certainly 
•looked upon as being in the greatest danger. 
While matters looked rather gloomy, a good- 
natured gentleman came up to me, and “ hoped my 
collections were insured ! ” 
Although the circumstances in which we were 
placed at this time were far from being pleasant, 
we could not resist having a good joke with two of 
our fellow-passengers. Dr. and Mr. 
had both been unfortunate at sea, and had related, 
during our voyage, the stories of their various 
shipwrecks. On more than one occasion they had 
been told that we held them responsible for any 
ill-luck that might befall us during the present 
voyage ; that both of them were evidently Jonahs ; 
and that, if we chanced to get into danger, they 
must be prepared to go overboard in order to 
ensure the safety of the ship. When, therefore, all 
our efforts to get into deeper water appeared 
fruitless, and when the 4 England ’ began to bump 
uncomfortably on the ground, an intimation was 
conveyed to these gentlemen that their time had 
come, and that they had better prepare for the 
