en much, Mr. Higgins thought he would try
an experiment in what he called "high latitudes," and to that end headed
the ship for the Auckland Islands. Now the crew had but little respect
for their new commander, and no confidence whatever in his skill as a
navigator.

After proceeding in this direction for ten days, one morning about four
o'clock the lookout called the attention of the officer of the watch to
strange sounds heard close ahead. It resembled the dull, sluggish sound
of breakers on shore during a calm. The sounds became louder and seemed
to be approaching the ship, but as her reckoning gave no land anywhere
near, the cause of the sounds began to excite great alarm. The captain
was called and the crew turned out, and an effort made to put the ship
on the other tack, but it was of no avail. An almost dead calm
prevailed, and the ship refused to obey her helm. In short, the ship was
being carried rapidly forward in the grasp of a strong under-current. A
heavy fog hung like a pall overhead, enveloping the ship's royals and
top-gallant sails; and as the noise increased a strange feeling of awe
and fear came over the crew, exciting their superstitions to the highest
pitch.

As the ship went on the sounds began to resemble the dashing and surging
of a heavy body of water forced by a strong tide through a narrow
gorge. Still nothing could be seen of land, which increased the strange
sensations produced by so singular a phenomenon. Nothing either crew or
officers could do would improve the situation, for in the ship's
condition they were as helpless as children. The lead was cast, and
sixty fathoms called. It was now evident that there was land close by.
But the trail of the line only showed the more clearly that the ship was
at the mercy of some rapid and dangerous current, perhaps being drawn
into some whirlpool. Now the fog seemed to lift, and long lines of light
were seen ahead, but it was only to be succeeded by greater darkness.
Then the sounds began to change and vary; and while what seemed voices
were heard singing and sighing overhead, the deep rush and roll of
waters below had a strange and bewildering effect on the feelings. Now
the moon seemed to be rising through the fog ahead, and a pale, white
light gleamed for a few seconds, then disappeared, and all was dark
again. And as the ship advanced, the bold outline of a high and nearly
perpendicular bluff revealed itself above the fog, and had the
appearan