air when they went on deck after dinner, and
with the exception of the throbbing and humming of the engine and
propeller, and soft whish of the sea as it was divided and swept along
the sides, all was wonderfully still. But the silence was soon after
broken by a sharp call from somewhere forward, a clear musical voice
rang out, and then, sounding very sweet and melodious on the soft air,
the men began glee-singing, showing that they had good voices among them
and no little knowledge of singing in parts. They were simple old glees
and madrigals, and no doubt the surroundings helped, but Jack sat
listening and thinking he had never heard music so sweet and beautiful
before.

"Why, captain," said Sir John, "this is a surprise."

"Is it, sir? Hope you don't mind."

"Mind?" echoed Sir John and the doctor in a breath.

"Bartlett's fond of a bit of music, and he has a good voice too, but he
is so precious modest you can't get him to sing alone; he's singing with
the men though now. He trains them a bit when we're not busy, and they
like it. Nothing pleases men like them more than singing in chorus; you
see, they're most of them Cornish and Devon lads, and they take
naturally to it. Many's the time I've heard the fishermen going out on
calm evenings to their fishing-ground singing away in parts, so that
you'd think that they had been well taught, and perhaps not one of them
knowing a note of music."

The glee-singing went on for about an hour, and ceased as suddenly as it
had begun. Then the watch was set, and after standing leaning over the
bows gazing at the glittering stars reflected in the deep water, and
seeing the phosphorescent creatures add to the lustre as they were
disturbed by the yacht's prow, or some large fish darting away, Jack
heaved a deep sigh and turned to go aft to the cabin.

"Unhappy, my boy?" said a voice at his elbow, which made the lad start
and remain silent for a few moments, utterly unable to give expression
to his feelings, before he said softly--

"No, father, not unhappy, but low-spirited and sad."

"Sad, my boy?" said Sir John.

"No, it isn't sad, because somehow, father, it makes me feel happy,
and--and I can't explain it, but I never felt that I cared to stand and
look at the sea and sky like this before. It seems so grand and
beautiful, and as if--as if--"

"The great book of Nature was being opened to you for the first time, my
boy. Yes; this wonderful soft air, this glor