waters, and into my cabin, when Chips awakened me with the news that the
peak of the island was broad on our lee bow, and that there was now
light enough to enable us to see our way in through the reef. I
accordingly turned out and went forward to get my usual douche bath
under the head-pump prior to dressing, taking note on the way of the
fact that we were still some ten miles to the northward and eastward of
the opening in the reef. Moreover, the wind was blowing a very gentle
breeze, pushing the ship along at scarcely more than three knots; I
therefore so far modified my arrangements of the previous night as to
give orders for breakfast to be prepared half an hour earlier, in order
that the meal might be disposed of before the real business of the day
began. But long before the cook's husky notes summoned the emigrants'
messmen to the galley, to receive their morning allowance of cocoa and
their tins of "lobscouse", all hands were on deck, the emigrants
gathered in the waist of the ship, leaning over the lee rail, and
devouring with their eyes the beauties of the lovely island, fresh,
green, and sparkling with the dews of the past night. It was rather
amusing to note that many of these people, especially the women and
children, had donned their best clothes in which to go ashore, as though
it were a festive occasion.

By the time that breakfast was over the ship had drawn well down toward
the southern extremity of the island; and at length the peak was brought
to bear by compass north-west by west-a-quarter-west, by which I knew
that it and the passage through the reef were now in line. Accordingly
we bore up and wore round, heading straight for the peak. Slinging the
ship's telescope over my shoulder, I once more wended my way aloft to
the fore topmast crosstrees, in order that from that commanding
elevation I might perform the delicate task of conning the ship through
the passage in the reef, and at the same time maintain a sharp lookout
for what now seemed to be the only peril to be guarded against, namely,
the possible existence upon the island of hostile natives.

Although we were some four miles from the reef when we bore up, I had
not the slightest difficulty in discovering the whereabouts of the
passage through it immediately upon my arrival in the crosstrees; and I
now at once brought the telescope to bear upon it, in search of possible
dangers in the form of sunken rocks; for although that apparently