the cabin to examine it; but no
sooner did I approach the light than the strange appearance disappeared,
and when I removed the cabin lamp the luminous light appeared again. I
was much puzzled with this, and took up a little of the water in the
hollow of my hand and then let it run off, when I found that the
luminous substance was left behind on my palm. I ran with it to the
lamp, but when I got there it was gone. I found, however, that when I
went into the dark my hand shone again; so I took the large glass of the
ship's telescope and examined my hand minutely, when I found that there
were on it one or two small patches of a clear, transparent substance
like jelly, which were so thin as to be almost invisible to the naked
eye. Thus I came to know that the beautiful phosphoric light, which I
had so often admired before, was caused by animals; for I had no doubt
that these were of the same kind as the medusa or jelly-fish, which are
seen in all parts of the world.

On the evening of my fourteenth day I was awakened out of a nap into
which I had fallen by a loud cry, and starting up, I gazed around me. I
was surprised and delighted to see a large albatross soaring
majestically over the ship. I immediately took it into my head that
this was the albatross I had seen at Penguin Island. I had, of course,
no good reason for supposing this; but the idea occurred to me, I know
not why, and I cherished it, and regarded the bird with as much
affection as if he had been an old friend. He kept me company all that
day, and left me as night fell.

Next morning, as I stood motionless and with heavy eyes at the helm--for
I had not slept well--I began to weary anxiously for daylight, and
peered towards the horizon, where I thought I observed something like a
black cloud against the dark sky. Being always on the alert for
squalls, I ran to the bow. There could be no doubt it was a squall, and
as I listened I thought I heard the murmur of the coming gale.
Instantly I began to work might and main at my cumbrous tackle for
shortening sail, and in the course of an hour and a half had the most of
it reduced--the topsail yards down on the caps, the topsails clewed up,
the sheets hauled in, the main and fore peaks lowered, and the
flying-jib down. While thus engaged, the dawn advanced, and I cast an
occasional furtive glance ahead in the midst of my labour. But now that
things were prepared for the worst, I ran forward again and lo