lected on the odds, which were immense, against our being a second
time so exactly in any one's way, where there was room for the whole
navigation of the world to pass abreast. Nor could I suspect any of my
fellow-passengers of being the unlucky Jonas of our misfortunes;
although the Moor was looked upon by some of the sailors with a
suspicious eye, for not consenting to partake of a leg of chicken, if
the animal had been killed and cooked by any other hand than his own,
and for the mysterious formalities they accused him of observing in
killing his poultry; such as turning his face in a particular direction,
and requiring the blood to flow in a particular manner--on failure of
which last requisite, he threw the fowl overboard. These things alarmed
the sailors, but helped, on the contrary, to encourage me; as I thought
the man's being possessed of a conscience and religious scruples,
rather, if any thing, an additional safeguard for us.

This time, therefore, I drew on my boots and trowsers; and, wrapped in
my cloak, proceeded in company with the Moor, who had taken it as
leisurely as myself, to join the party on deck. They had kept the
lantern in a safe position until the moment it would have the best
chance of taking effect, a proper precaution, as it was likely to be so
short-lived. And at the moment I arrived the order was being given to
shew it ahead. A sailor took it, and before he could reach the bow of
the vessel, a wave broke over him and washed his lantern fairly into the
sea. Upon this the captain said not a word, but running to the helm,
took it in hand, and turned the ship right round, presenting her stern
to the wind, and to the approaching vessel,--which we now soon lost
sight of, as we were not a slow sailing craft in a fair wind. Having
performed this masterly feat, and given orders that no change should be
made in any respect, he went to bed; muttering as he left the deck
various indistinct sounds between his teeth. The next morning we had
undone nearly all our six day's work, and before evening of the
following day, had returned to within sight of Cape St. Martin near
Valencia.

It was now a fortnight since we had quitted Marseille, and we were
nearly half-way to our place of destination; but Neptune took pity on
us, and having given the usual scolding to Eolus, we were allowed to
resume our course, although not at as good a rate as we could have
wished. The tempest had ceased, and by means of a feeb