ic, where it drives into
the Gulf of Mexico. Finding no outlet there it rushes violently round
the gulf--"

"Gits angry, no doubt, an' that's what makes it hot?" suggested the
sailor.

"Perhaps! Anyhow, it then flows, as you say, in a nor'-easterly
direction to the coasts of Great Britain and Ireland. But it does more
than that. It spreads as it goes, and also rushes straight at the
coasts of France and Spain. Here, however, it meets a strong counter
current running south along these same coasts of France an' Spain. That
is difficulty number one. It has to do battle wi' that current, and you
know, Jack, wherever there's a battle there's apt to be convulsions of
some sort. Well, then, a nor'-westerly gale comes on and rolls the
whole o' the North Atlantic Ocean against these coasts. So here you
have this part of the Gulf Stream caught in another direction--on the
port quarter, as you sailors might call it--"

"Never mind wot us sailors might call it, Willum. Wotever you say on
that pint you're sure to be wrong. Heave ahead!"

"Well, then," continued Armstrong, with a laugh, "that's trouble number
two; and these troubles, you'll observe, apply to the whole west coast
of both countries; but in the Bay of Biscay there is still another
difficulty, for when these rushing and tormented waters try to escape,
they are met fair in the face by the whole north coast of Spain, and
thus--"

"_I_ sees it!" exclaimed Molloy, with a sudden beam of intelligence,
"you've hit the nail on the head, Willum. Gulf Stream flies at France
in a hot rage, finds a cool current, or customer, flowin' down south
that shouts `Belay there!' At it they go, tooth an' nail, when down
comes a nor'-wester like a wolf on the fold, takes the Stream on the
port quarter, as you say, an' drives both it an' the cool customer into
the bay, where the north o' Spain cries `Avast heavin', both o' you!'
an' drives 'em back to where the nor'-wester's drivin' 'em on! No
wonder there's a mortal hullaballoo in the Bay o' Biscay! Why, mate,
where got ye all that larnin'?"

Before his friend could reply, a terrific plunge of the vessel, a
vicious shriek of the wind, and the entrance of another tremendous sea,
suggested that the elements were roused to unusual fury at having the
secrets of their operations thus ruthlessly revealed, and also suggested
the propriety of the two friends seeking better shelter down below.

While this storm was raging, Miles