captain's
directions by Barnaby, who had been left as guardian of the house and
property, the owner deeming it possible that he might some day return to
his own home. The wind had veered round to the north-east, and blew a
fresh breeze, which it was hoped would speedily waft them across the
ocean. The _Sea Venture_ took the lead, the _Rainbow_ following close
astern, and the other vessels in their different order of sailing. Thus
the fleet glided on. The blue Lizard, growing dimmer and dimmer; sank
beneath the ocean; the Land's End was lost to sight, and the fleet,
guided by the wondrous compass, sped onward, chasing the sun in its
course. For several days the wind continued fair, the ocean calm, and
all on board looked forward to a speedy termination of their voyage.
Audley watched with interest the _Rainbow_ as she kept her course,
sometimes drawing close enough to enable him to see Mistress Cicely on
her deck. It is possible that her young mate might have done his best,
by pressing on sail, to keep her there, in order that he himself might
have the satisfaction of seeing Mistress Lettice, with her mother and
other ladies seated on the high poop of the admiral's ship, under an
awning spread to shelter them; for the wind being light and aft, the sun
beat down with no slight force, and few would willingly have remained
long exposed to its burning rays. The sea, just crisped over with
wavelets, glittered brightly, and ever and anon huge fish rose to the
surface and gambolled round the ships, wondering what strange monsters
had come to invade their watery domain. Gilbert, Oliver, and Fenton
were in the mean time busying themselves about their duties. Gilbert
had undertaken to instruct his younger companions in such nautical
knowledge as he possessed: Ned was an apt pupil, and he hoped to do no
discredit to the name of his honoured father.

"I had expected on coming to sea to meet the huge waves towering as high
as the mastheads, and strong winds, and thunder and lightning; but the
life we lead in this calm weather is so pleasant and easy that I should
soon grow weary of it," observed Fenton.

"Wait a bit," answered Gilbert; "my experience is not very great, but I
can tell you that the ocean is not always in its present humour, and
that we may have another account to give before we reach the shores of
Virginia."

Still the fine weather continued; and at length so completely did the
wind fall that the ships lay