ee leagues
from shore make the attempt to land a very dangerous piece of business.
And another thing, I know. Let the natives boast as they will about
their splendid climate, they, are visited by the most frightful
hurricanes. They get the fag-end of the storms that rage over the
Antilles; and the fag-end of a storm is like the tail of a whale;
it's just the strongest bit of it. I don't think you'll find a sailor
listening much to your poets,--your Moores, and your Wallers."

"No, doubt you are right, Mr. Curtis," said Andre, smiling, "but poets
are like proverbs; you can always find one to contradict another.
Although Waller and Moore have chosen to sing the praises of the
Bermudas, it has been supposed that Shakspeare was depicting them in the
terrible scenes that are found in 'The Tempest.'"

The whole vicinity of these islands is beyond a question extremely
perilous to mariners. Situated between the Antilles and Nova Scotia, the
Bermudas have ever since their discovery belonged to the English,
who have mainly used them for a military station. But this little
archipelago, comprising some hundred and fifty different isles and
islets, is destined to increase, and that, perhaps, on a larger scale
than has yet been anticipated. Beneath the waves there are madrepores,
in infinity of number, silently but ceaselessly pursuing their labours;
and with time, that fundamental element in nature's workings, who shall
tell whether these may not gradually build up island after island, which
shall unite and form another continent?

I may mention that there was not another of our fellow-passengers who
took the trouble to come on deck and give a glance at this strange
cluster of islands. Miss Herbey, it is true, was making an attempt to
join us, but she had barely reached the poop, when Mrs. Kear's languid
voice was heard recalling her for some trifling service to her side.

CHAPTER VI.

OCTOBER 8th to OCTOBER 13th.--The wind is blowing hard from the
north-east; and the "Chancellor" under low-reefed top-sail and
fore-sail, and labouring against a heavy sea, has been obliged to be
brought ahull. The joists and girders all creak again until one's teeth
are set on edge. I am the only passenger not remaining below; but I
prefer being on deck notwithstanding the driving rain, fine as dust,
which penetrates to my very skin. We have been driven along in this
fashion for the best part of two days; the "stiffish breeze" has
gradually