g the horizon, others, mere
hillocks, appearing above it; and besides the more distant islands,
several islets were seen, mostly barren rocks, some of a mile in length,
and others of a few hundred yards; the largest only being of a height
sufficient to conceal a vessel behind them. Some were broken into
picturesque forms, and their sides sprinkled with moss and lichens, or
coarse grass, and a few low shrubs looked green and inviting at a little
distance--a deception which a nearer approach quickly dissipated. Here
and there also black lines and spots might be seen on the surface, being
the summit of coral reefs, which, with any sea, were entirely concealed
by the wild foaming surf breaking over them; and though the greater
number of these were almost flush with the water, or below it, a few
rose as much as five or ten feet above it. As may be supposed, no
vessel would venture into this locality, unless those on board were well
acquainted with its numerous hidden dangers.

To increase them still further, strong currents set among the islands,
running towards various quarters, accordingly as they encountered the
opposition of the rocks, either above or below the surface, so that it
was impossible, from the appearance of the land, to say in which
direction the vessel, exposed to their influence, would next be carried.
Into one of these currents, the _Sea Hawk_ had now got, and though she
appeared to be stationary in the water, she was being driven on at a
rapid rate past the land to the westward. Her captain, however,
apprehended no danger--he had every rock and shoal mapped out in his
mind far more correctly than on any chart in existence, and he felt
confident of being able to avoid them; and thus, though the airs came
from the westward, the brig was carried bodily to windward, and steerage
way was just kept on her.

The heat of the cabin was so great, that Ada and Nina had been forced on
deck, over the after part of which an awning had been spread to shelter
them from the sun--and there they sat, silent and sad, for the long
delay which had occurred had depressed their spirits, and filled their
imaginations with forebodings of coming evil.

Paolo stood by himself, leaning over the quarter-rail, and gazing, with
a vacant listlessness, at the sea; no one speaking to him, and he
noticing no one.

Zappa slowly paced the deck, every now and then stopping to watch the
progress of the vessel, and to issue his orders to