was completely blinding. So loaded was the
still air with electricity that from every point aloft pale flames
streamed upward, giving the ship the appearance of a huge candelabrum
with innumerable branches. One of the hands, who had been ordered aloft
on some errand of securing a loose end, presented a curious sight.
He was bareheaded, and from his hair the all pervading fluid arose,
lighting up his features, which were ghastly beyond description. When he
lifted his hand, each separate finger became at once an additional point
from which light streamed. There was no thunder, but a low hissing and a
crackling which did not amount to noise, although distinctly audible to
all. Sensations most unpleasant of pricking and general irritation were
felt by every one, according to their degree of susceptibility.

After about an hour of this state of things, a low moaning of thunder
was heard, immediately followed by a few drops of rain large as dollars.
The mutterings and grumblings increased until, with one peal that made
the ship tremble as though she had just struck a rock at full speed,
down came the rain. The windows of heaven were opened, and no man might
stand against the steaming flood that descended by thousands of tons
per minute. How long it continued, I cannot say; probably, in its utmost
fierceness, not more than half an hour. Then it slowly abated, clearing
away as it did so the accumulation of gloom overhead, until, before
midnight had struck, all the heavenly host were shedding their beautiful
brilliancy upon us again with apparently increased glory, while the
freshness and invigorating feel of the air was inexpressibly delightful.

We did not court danger by hugging too closely any of the ugly reefs and
banks that abound in this notably difficult strait, but gave them all a
respectfully wide berth. It was a feature of our navigation that, unless
we had occasion to go near any island or reef for fishing or landing
purposes, we always kept a safe margin of distance away, which probably
accounts for our continued immunity from accident while in tortuous
waters. Our anchors and cables were, however, always kept ready for use
now, in case of an unsuspected current or sudden storm; but beyond that
precaution, I could see little or no difference in the manner of our
primitive navigation.

We met with no "luck" for some time, and the faces of the harpooners
grew daily longer, the great heat of those sultry waters trying