ley.

"No fear of that, colonel, if we have our eyelids open, and our wits
about us," answered the commander of the "Ranger."

The sea was calm, the wind light, and the "Ranger" glided proudly over
the smooth sea. The ladies and most of the other passengers were on
deck. Two or three of the lieutenants and ensigns brought up their
rifles and proposed shooting at the albatrosses, which, with expanded
wings, floated around the ship, now rising high in the air, now darting
down on the scrapings of the mess tins which had been thrown overboard.
Ensign Holt had just loaded his rifle.

"I think I can hit that fellow," he exclaimed, pointing at a magnificent
bird which, at the instant, came swooping down near the stern.

"Oh! do not be so cruel," exclaimed Miss Morley, who observed him. "I
could not suppose that anybody with right feeling would wish to deprive
so beautiful a creature of its joyous existence. How delightful it must
be to fly at freedom through the clear blue air, and remain thus, for
days and weeks together, away from the heat and dust of the shore."

The ensign reddened, and lowered his weapon from his shoulder, and the
albatross swept off to a distance, far out of range of his rifle.

"I was only thinking of the good practice they would give us," he
observed; "but your interference, Miss Morley, has saved the bird's
life."

"That is to say, Holt, it prevented you from firing," observed
Lieutenant Dawson; "it does not follow that the bird would have been the
sufferer."

Lieutenant Hickman and Ensign Gonne laughed heartily, for Holt was not
celebrated for his shooting. The magnificent birds continued as before,
hovering about the ship, not aware of the evil intentions harboured
against them by the young officers.

Ensign Holt was nettled, and, notwithstanding Miss Morley's remark, was
longing for an opportunity of exhibiting his skill. She soon afterwards
went below, when he again prepared, as he said, to bring down an
albatross. He and his brother officers, however, fired several shots
without producing any effect. A rifle ball at length striking one of
the birds, the white feathers were seen flying from its breast; upwards
it soared, making several wide circuits, then once more darted towards
the surface of the water, apparently not in any way the sufferer.

While the young officers were thus engaged, Commander Newcombe appeared
on the poop. "I do not wish to interfere with the amusements