ut my head above the companion, and there, sure enough, directly
ahead, and about ten or twelve degrees above the horizon, appeared an
island apparently floating in the air. It was low and, judging from a
small grove of trees which distinctly appeared, of no great extent. I
took the glass, but through it everything presented a wavering
appearance, as though the island and all upon it consisted of an
infinite number of separate and distinct particles, each revolving in a
spiral direction upwards. I called Ella on deck to see the singular
phenomenon, for it was a more perfect example of mirage than I had ever
before witnessed or could have believed possible. As we continued to
gaze upon the curious spectacle, a faint foamy appearance revealed
itself between us and the island, but still in the sky; and about half
an hour afterwards this distinctly took the form of flying spray from
breakers beating upon a reef. The mirage lasted rather more than an
hour, and then faded gradually away.

"How far d'ye reckon that island is away, Harry, lad?" queried Bob, when
we had finished breakfast and were all mustered on deck once more.

"Really," said I, "it is a very difficult matter to decide. By my
reckoning we ought not to see it until about three this afternoon, with
the wind as it is; and I hope we _shall_ see it by that time, so as to
get inside the reef to-night. If it looks very enticing, we will stay
there a few days, and give the little craft an overhaul in hull, spars,
and rigging; and Miss Brand will have an opportunity of getting a few
runs on shore meanwhile, and perhaps a little fruit as a change of
diet."

My reckoning proved correct, for about three o'clock that afternoon, as
I was sitting aft with the tiller-ropes in my hand, I saw the tops of
the cocoa-nut trees appearing above the horizon. As I did not wish to
disturb Bob (not feeling sure of our being able to lie at anchor all
night without a watch), I requested Ella--who, as usual, was _assisting_
to keep the watch on deck--to take the tiller whilst I shortened sail.
The spinnaker and gaff-topsail were got in and rolled up, the spinnaker-
boom run in and topped up, and by the time that eight bells had struck,
and Bob had come on deck, we were near enough to render it necessary to
haul up and look out for a passage through the reef.

At first sight it seemed as though we were not to be permitted to
approach the island, for an unbroken line of heavy surf