very ill already, but as you show no signs of suffering thus far, you
will probably escape."

It was some time, however, before Francis went below. The scene was
novel to him, and he was astonished at the sight of the waves, and at
the manner in which they tossed the great ship about, as if she were an
eggshell. But when it became quite dark, and he could see nothing but
the white crests of the waves and the foam that flew high in the air
every time the bluff bows of the ship plunged down into a hollow, he
took the captain's advice and retired to his cabin.

He was on deck again early. A gray mist overhung the water. The sea was
of a leaden colour, crested with white heads. The waves were far higher
than they had been on the previous evening, and as they came racing
along behind the Bonito each crest seemed as if it would rise over her
stern and overwhelm her. But this apprehension was soon dispelled, as
he saw how lightly the vessel rose each time. Although showing but a
very small breadth of sail, she was running along at a great rate,
leaving a white streak of foam behind her. The captain was standing
near the helm, and Francis made his way to him.

"Well, captain, and how are you getting on, and where are we?" he
asked, cheerfully.

"We are getting on well enough, Messer Francisco, as you can see for
yourself. The Bonito is as good a sea boat as ever floated, and would
not care for the wind were it twice as strong as it is. It is not the
storm I am thinking about, but the islands. If we were down in the
Mediterranean I could turn into my cot and sleep soundly; but here it
is another matter. We are somewhere up among the islands, but where, no
man can say. The wind has shifted a bit two or three times during the
night, and, as we are obliged to run straight before it, there is no
calculating to within a few miles where we are. I have tried to edge
out to the westward as much as I could, but with this wind blowing and
the height of the ship out of water, we sag away to leeward so fast
that nothing is gained by it.

"According to my calculation, we cannot be very far from the west coast
of Mitylene. If the clouds would but lift, and give us a look round for
two minutes, we should know all about it, as I know the outline of
every island in the Aegean; and as over on this side you are always in
sight of two or three of them, I should know all about it if I could
get a view of the land. Now, for aught we know, we ma