f our third day out from Kingston we sighted land on the
lee bow, which turned out to be the south end of the Island of Oruba,
off the entrance to the Gulf of Maracaybo. We weathered the island
cleverly before dark, though without very much room to spare, and passed
in between it and Curacao, making land again about six bells in the
middle watch, on the mainland this time, about Hicacos Point. At eight
bells in the same watch we tacked ship and stood off shore; and when the
sun rose, the Island of Curacao appeared upon our weather bow.
Continuing upon the starboard tack all that day, we hove about again at
the beginning of the first dog-watch, thinking that we might possibly be
able to pick up a stray Spaniard or Dutchman.

On the following afternoon, about four p.m., land was once more made,
directly ahead.

"Land!" murmured little Fisher--who from his diminutive stature had
acquired from his fellow-mids the sobriquet of "Six-foot"--"Land! it's
nothing but `land ho!' What land _is_ it, for gracious sake?" to Mr
Carter, the master's-mate, who happened to be standing near him.

"The Rocca Islands," answered Carter. "The master says it's it very
likely spot in which to find a pirate's nest--just a group of some five-
and-twenty rocks, they are not much larger, and one island about ten
miles long and six wide, with reefs and shoals all round. Did you ever
smell gunpowder, Six-foot?"

"Not yet," answered little Fisher, "but you know this is only my second
voyage?"

"And your first was from London to Margate, eh? Well, perhaps you'll
have a chance of smelling it before long." And Carter walked away
forward.

The little fellow flushed up crimson, and then went pale to the lips.

"Why, Six-foot, what's the matter with you; you are not frightened, are
you? Carter was only joking."

"Was he?" said the boy, "I didn't know. You asked me if I felt
frightened, Ralph, I don't know whether it was fright or not, but I felt
very queer. You know I have never been in action yet, and I think it
must be so _dreadful_ to hear the shot crashing in through the ship's
sides, and to see strong men struck down maimed and bleeding, or perhaps
killed outright, and I have a horrible feeling that when I see these
things for the first time I shall turn sick and faint, and perhaps
misbehave in some way. And I wouldn't act like a coward for the world;
my father is a very proud man, and I don't think he would ever forgive
me for brin