f fire.

"Who would not wish to come to sea to witness such a spectacle as this?"
exclaimed Emily, with enthusiasm, as the whole ocean appeared glowing
with flashes of brilliant light. The remark was made not to Mrs
Clagget, but to Mr Paget, who stood by her side.

"You would scarcely suppose that this glorious illumination of the ocean
is caused by countless numbers of minute living creatures," he observed.
"As the telescope reveals to us some of the wonders of the heavens, so
the microscope enables to inspect many of the smallest of created
beings."

"What, Mr Paget, is every spark of light we see a living creature?"
asked May.

"Yes, indeed," was the answer. "And probably we see at a time not a
thousandth part of the number of those which are floating around."

The ship all this time had been standing over towards the coast of South
America, then to steer parallel with it, till, feeling the influence of
the trade winds, she was to keep eastward towards her destination.
Hitherto good progress had been made, and a rapid passage was expected;
but near the Tropic of Capricorn the wind fell, till a dead calm rested
on the ocean; gradually every ripple was (as Mrs Clagget expressed it)
smoothed out of the water. The sails hung idly down against the masts,
chips of wood thrown overboard floated alongside, the sun struck down
with terrific force, the whole sea shining like a sheet of burnished
gold. The passengers could no longer bear the heat below; and when they
came on deck, and sought whatever shade could be found, they gained but
little by the change. Though the sky, after a time, became overcast,
and a light steamy mist pervaded the atmosphere, the heat, rather than
moderating, increased. Few on board could resist complaining. Night
brought no relief. People who had appeared active enough before sat
listless about the decks. Books, if open, were unread. The seamen even
exhibited the same listlessness as the rest of those on board. Emily
and May did their best to keep up their spirits, but their efforts were
unavailing. Captain Westerway and Bill Windy were among the few who
appeared unaffected. Mr Paget, also exerting himself to the utmost,
went about his usual occupations, and endeavoured to revive the spirits
of his companions. It was evident, however, that unless a breeze should
spring up some evil consequences would too probably ensue. Day after
day the ship floated on the glassy sea, no sail in