ing of satisfaction was growing within him, and everything looked
bright. The crew appeared contented, and the work went on with an ease
and regularity that was pleasant to see. The various objects of
interest were pointed out, but Jack paid very little attention to them,
his attention being principally taken up by the working of the yacht,
and he was, in spite of the heat, up and down several times, the engine,
with its bright machinery and soft gliding movements, so full of
condensed power, having a strange fascination for him.

Then they were out in the Red Sea, with its sandy and sun-baked
mountains, and the water flashing like molten silver.

Here it was perfectly calm, and Jack watched when the speed was
increased; and as the captain wished to show Sir John what the yacht
could do under pressure, the order for full speed ahead was given by the
touch of an index, and they cut through the dazzling water, sending up
an arrow-shaped wave of displacement, and for the next two miles going
at a tremendous rate.

Then all at once the captain began to give orders, and the neatly-furled
canvas was cast loose and hoisted, for puffs of air came from the
northeast like as if from a furnace mouth, and away they glided once
more. The fires were drawn, the steam blown off, and their rate
decreased, though it was not far behind that of one of the great
steamers which passed them on its way to China.

Once well on their way, lines were brought out from the little magazine
and furnished with sinkers of lead selected by the mate to suit the
speed at which glittering silvered artificial baits were thrown out to
drag forty or fifty yards behind; but though every kind of lure on board
was tried, hours and hours went by without a touch. But long before
this Jack had turned to the mate, who was leaning over the stern on the
opposite side.

"Isn't this very stupid?" he said.

"Oh no," said Mr Bartlett merrily. "It's a capital practice for
patience."

"I don't know that I want to practise patience," said the lad
thoughtfully. "But I say, I felt it when we started. Surely the fish
will not be stupid enough to bite at these baits."

"It does not seem like it," said the mate, smiling.

"They will sometimes when the water's a bit rougher and we're going
fast, but they are too clever for us to-day."

"Then we can give up," said Jack with a sigh of relief.

"Give up? No, that will never do. If we could only catch one fish, w