time
have usually to go through."

The passengers were accordingly called up on deck, when most of them, in
acknowledgment of his courtesy, presented Daddy Neptune with a fee,
which he forthwith handed to an odd-looking monster whom he took care to
introduce as his treasurer. Mr Job Mawson, however, kept out of the
way, evidently determined to pay nothing. Neptune, who had been eyeing
him for some time, now turned to his attendants. Four of them
immediately sprang forward, when Mr Mawson, suspecting their
intentions, took to flight. Round and round the deck he ran, pursued by
the tritons, to escape from whom he sprang below; but in his fright he
went down forward, so that he could not reach his own cabin, and he was
soon hunted up again and chased as before, till at length, exhausted,
and nearly frightened out of his wits, he was caught beneath the poop.

"Let him alone," exclaimed Neptune; "he is beneath our notice, after
all."

Instead of the rough amusements often carried on on board ships crossing
the line, a drama was acted by Neptune and his attendants, he being
shortly afterwards joined by his wife and children, who had by this
time, he observed, finished their breakfasts, and had come to pay their
respects to their old friend, Captain Westerway.

CHAPTER FOUR.

A SEAMAN'S SUPERSTITION.

"RANGER" TAKES A SOUTHERLY COURSE--ALBATROSSES APPEAR ASTERN--HOLT
PREPARES HIS RIFLE--MISS MORLEY PLEADS FOR THE BIRDS--HOLT KILLS AN
ALBATROSS--A SUPERSTITION OF SEAMEN--THE FATE OF THE ANCIENT MARINER--
MRS RUMBELOW'S OPINIONS ON THE SUBJECT--SERJEANT RUMBELOW--MUSIC HEARD
OVER THE OCEAN--A SHIP PASSED AT NIGHT--A HAIL FROM THE "RANGER"--
BLOWING HARD--MRS RUMBELOW COMFORTS THE SICK--THE COLONEL CAUTIONS THE
COMMANDER--LOOK-OUT FOR ICEBERGS--THE COLONEL'S WIFE AND DAUGHTERS--THE
COLONEL'S PRACTICAL RELIGION--A CALM.

The lofty height of Table Mountain sank lower and lower in the blue
ocean as the "Ranger" stood towards the south.

"I propose taking the short circle on our voyage eastward," said
Commander Newcombe to Colonel Morley. "We may experience somewhat cold
weather; but, at this time of the year we may hope to escape heavy
gales, and it is important, with so many men on board, to make a quick
passage. If, too, our water should run scarce, we may obtain a supply
from the icebergs, with which it is not impossible we may fall in now
and then."

"I hope we may not run foul of one," observed Colonel Mor