r two of wind, and witnessed the sea foaming and
roaring and running mountains high. Instead of this, with the exception
of a little tossing and pitching for a week or two, we ran along over a
smooth ocean, generally with a fair wind and delightful weather.
Occasionally, when we were becalmed, the sun shone down on our heads,
and sent us in search of every shady spot that could be found. Most of
our companions were accustomed to a hotter atmosphere, which they told
us we should find when we got on shore; but even they kept out of the
rays of the sun as much as possible. When a breeze sprang up, we glided
along with studding-sails on either side at the rate of some seven or
eight knots an hour, and the look-out forward shouted, "A sail on the
starboard bow!"

The captain remarked that, from the way she was standing, she would pass
close to us. Most of the passengers on deck hurried across to look at
the stranger. Rochford, who was seated on a coil of rope writing in his
note-book, continued his occupation without moving.

Lejoillie, who had just come from the cuddy, sauntered along the deck
towards him.

"What, my friend, are you inditing sonnets to your lady's eyebrow, or
composing your first speech as president of your model republic?" he
said in his bantering way.

"Whatever I am about, I am not fond of being interrupted," answered
Rochford, looking up with a more angry glance than I had yet seen on his
countenance.

"My dear friend," exclaimed Lejoillie, taking his hands out of his
pockets and stepping forward, "I am sincerely sorry, and beg your
pardon. I thought you would like to see yonder fine ship as she passes
us. Happily the world is at peace, or I should fear she was an enemy,
and had some intention of attacking the _Liberty_; neither can she be a
pirate, as our captain does not endeavour to keep out of her way."

Rochford, quickly appeased, rose to look at the stranger. Instead,
however, of crossing to where the rest of the passengers were standing,
I saw him dart aft towards one of the ports, all of which had been left
open to admit of a free current of air. At the same time, little Paul's
black nurse, Rosa, uttering a wild shriek, fell to the deck. I guessed
what had happened. The child had escaped from her arms, and running
heedlessly away, had fallen overboard through the port. Rochford, who
had seen the occurrence, without stopping for one instant, plunged in
after him. I felt incl