"that's my opinion. There is a cloud rising in the
southwest; and, look, there are some Mother Carey's chickens dipping in
the water astern."

"Where?" said the passenger, a curly-headed Creole, about twenty years
old.

"Those small birds," replied the captain, walking forward.

The passenger went down below, and soon returned with his
double-barreled fowling-piece.

"I have long wished to shoot one of those birds," said he; "and now they
are so near, I think I may get a shot."

He raised his piece several times without firing, when the captain came
aft, and, perceiving his intention, caught his arm as he was about to
level again.

"I beg your pardon, Mr. Higgins, but I really must request that you will
not fire at those birds."

"Why not?"

"Because I cannot permit it."

"But what's to hinder me?" replied the young man, coloring up; "they are
not in your manifest, I presume."

"No, sir, they are not; but I tell you frankly that I would not kill one
for a hundred pounds. Nay, I would as soon murder one of my
fellow-creatures."

"Well, that may be your feeling, but it's not mine."

"Nevertheless, sir, as it is, to say the least of it, very unlucky, you
will oblige me by yielding to my request."

"Nonsense!--just to humor your superstitious feeling."

"We are not in port yet, Mr. Higgins; and I must insist upon it you do
not fire. You have taken my gunpowder, and I cannot allow it to be used
in that way."

During this altercation I observed that many of the sailors had come
aft, and, although they said nothing, were evidently of the same opinion
as the captain. I was aware that there was a superstitious feeling among
the seamen relative to these birds, but I had never seen it so strongly
exemplified before.

The mate gave a wink to the captain, behind the passenger's back, and
made a motion to him to go forward, which the captain did. The passenger
again raised his gun, when it was seized by two of the seamen.

"You must not fire at these birds, sir!" said one of them.

"Why, you scoundrel?--I'll give you the contents of both barrels if you
don't leave my gun alone."

"No, you won't--you're not among niggers now, master," replied the
seaman; "and as you have threatened to shoot me, I must take the gun
from you."

A scuffle ensued, during which both barrels were discharged in the air,
and the gun taken from Mr. Higgins, who was boiling with rage. The gun
was handed forward, and I saw it no more