were compelled to load it
into the boats and make several journeys to and fro before all they had
cut was shipped. Altogether, I was glad that the wooding had not fallen
to my share. On board the ship fishing had been going on steadily most
of the day by a few hands told off for the purpose. The result of their
sport was splendid, over two hundred-weight of fine fish of various
sorts, but all eatable, having been gathered in.

We lay snugly anchored all night, keeping a bright look-out for any
unwelcome visitors either from land or sea, for the natives are not to
be trusted, neither do the Arab mongrels who cruise about those waters
in their dhows bear any too good a reputation. We saw none, however,
and at daylight we weighed and towed the ship out to sea with the boats,
there being no wind. While busy at this uninteresting pastime, one of
the boats slipped away, returning presently with a fine turtle, which
they had surprised during his morning's nap. One of the amphibious
Portuguese slipped over the boat's side as she neared the sleeping
SPHARGA, and, diving deep, came up underneath him, seizing with crossed
hands the two hind flippers, and, with a sudden, dexterous twist, turned
the astonished creature over on his back. Thus rendered helpless, the
turtle lay on the surface feebly waving his flippers, while his captor,
gently treading water, held him in that position till the boat reached
the pair and took them on board. It was a clever feat, neatly executed,
as unlike the clumsy efforts I had before seen made with the same object
as anything could possibly be.

After an hour's tow, we had got a good offing, and a light air springing
up, we returned on board, hoisted the boats, and made sail to the
northward again.

With the exception of the numerous native dhows that crept lazily about,
we saw no vessels as we gradually drew out of the Mozambique Channel and
stood away towards the Line. The part of the Indian Ocean in which we
now found ourselves is much dreaded by merchantmen, who give it a wide
berth on account of the numerous banks, islets, and dangerous currents
with which it abounds. We, however, seemed quite at home here, pursuing
the even tenor of our usual way without any special precautions being
taken. A bright look-out, we always kept, of course--none of your drowsy
lolling about such as is all too common on the "fo'lk'sle head" of many
a fine ship, when, with lights half trimmed or not shown at all, sh