LETTERS FROM ALABAMA. 
17 
sudden lull made by the interposition of so great a 
body between it and the wind, will cause it mo- 
mentarily to lie flat on the water, instantly resum- 
ing its upright position. This dousing its sails,” 
our sailors delight to consider as an act of homage 
done to the British flag. I do not believe that it 
has the power of emptying itself of air and con» 
sequently of sinking at pleasure. I have seen them 
thrown up on a beach, dead as I suppose, and in 
that state the membrane was not at all collapsed, 
but as inflated as when floating. 
Hitherto, we had kept the trade-wind, and had 
consequently made rapid progress. We were alre^tdy 
CAYO BOCA, 
within sight of the last kay, or islet, of that long 
range called the Beef, when the sky began to 
C 
