fits and starts at the rate of five knots an hour, while the breeze was gradually growing more steady although still falling away at times, but it was coming from the right quarter—the south—and would soon waft them into the regular Atlantic trades.
Four bells had just struck, and the watch had altered the yards by a point so as to capture what wind there was, and they were now once more taking their ease on the main-deck, masticating their quids of tobacco and telling yarns, or listening to the plantation airs which the 'prentice boy was playing on a concertina, an instrument which, if acceptable at any time, is acceptable on the ocean and in the tropics.
A still and warm yet grateful night, tempting one to lie on the sun-heated boards on which the pitch from the seams still felt sticky and soft. The dew was falling heavily and saturating the canvas and ropes, the stars were moist-looking and dazzling overhead, while round the hull the parted waters burned blue. Just such a night when life at sea is really a pleasure and a reposeful dream.
The wind was very fitful; now it would come along soft yet strong, and bulge out the sails for a few moments, sending the ship along rapidly, then it would fall behind, leaving the sails empty and flapping dolorously against the masts.
"This will go on all night," said the captain, a little thickly, as he passed his hand over his eyes and looked round him, "but I reckon that to-morrow night we shall be able to forge ahead."
"Whereabouts are we now, captain?" inquired the doctor.
"Just outside the River Amazon," replied the captain, and then he added,—"This fresh air on the top of that
