I guessed at once what it was.
Mr Hooker said he wished to catch two or three and prepare them to
send back to England by the _Bussorah Merchant_. He accordingly made
preparations to catch them.

"I should not like to shoot one though," I remarked. "You remember what
became of the `Ancient Mariner' who shot an albatross; how his ship
floated all alone on the ocean day after day, and week after week, and
month after month, till all on board had died and he alone remained."

"Oh no; pray don't!" exclaimed Emily, "lest so dreadful a fate should
overtake us."

"It is only a fancy of the poet's, perhaps," I remarked. "At the same
time I like to try and believe it."

"I hope the same fate does not overtake those who catch the bird with a
bait. It is his own fault, recollect, if he swallows it," said Mr
Hooker, who had now got a strong line with a hook and a piece of meat on
it, with a float to keep it from sinking. This he now veered astern. I
could not help admiring the wondrous power exhibited by the bird as it
glided on without flapping its wings. Now one was seen to dash down at
a piece of refuse which the cook had thrown overboard, slowly again to
rise and then to follow the ship, apparently without the slightest
exertion.

"That gives me an idea," said Mr Hooker, throwing a large piece of fat
overboard before he let go his baited hook. Again the albatross darted
down on it; and then, without rising again, swam vigorously after the
baited hook.

"There--he has snapped it up!" I exclaimed.

Instantly the bird found the obstruction. When the sailors who had come
aft began to attempt to haul him in, out went his wings, with which he
endeavoured to hold himself back, offering a powerful resistance to the
line. Although three men were pulling away with might and main, yet the
bird could not be drawn nearer the stern; and, at length, crack went the
line, and off it flew with the hook and the remainder of the line in its
mouth.

"Poor creature! I am afraid it will die a miserable death, instead of
speedily being put out of its sufferings, as it would have been had it
more wisely come on board," observed Mr Hooker. "However, we must get
another line and take care there is no flaw in it."

The passengers now amused themselves by throwing bits of meat overboard,
and seeing the albatrosses pounce down and snap up the tempting morsels.
At last Mr Hooker's fresh line was got ready. No sooner had the bait
re