eath, near the
middle, as I suppose, of that terrible afternoon, I all at once became
sensible of a perceptible cooling of the atmosphere, and a sudden
decrease of light. Looking out to discover the cause of this change, I
perceived that the sky was overcast, and that a light, unsteady breeze
from the north-west had sprung up. Knowing that within the tropics, and
near the line, winds from that quarter frequently precede a storm, and
that great extremes of heat are often succeeded by violent gales, I
observed, with apprehension, dark masses of clouds gathering in the
north. It would not require a tempest to insure our destruction; for
our little craft could not live a moment, even in such a gale as would
be attended by no danger to a staunch ship with plenty of sea room.

The temperature had fallen many degrees, though the wind was still
moderate and unsteady, ranging from west to north-east. The sun was
completely obscured, so that the awning was no longer needed, and we
pulled it down, in order the more fully to enjoy the breeze, and the
delicious coolness of the darkened atmosphere, to the gratefulness of
which, not even our awakening apprehensions could render us insensible.

While observing the strange appearance of the sky, and like preparations
for a storm which seemed to be going on in the north and west, Morton
espied a troop of Flying-fish a hundred yards or so to windward.
Fluttering feebly a short distance in the air, they would drop into the
sea, soon emerging, however, for a fresh flight; thus, alternately
swimming and flying, they were steadily approaching; and from their
rapid and confused motions, it was evident that they were hard pressed
by some of the numerous and greedy persecutors of their helpless race;
from whom they were struggling to escape. Presently, a glittering
Albatross shot from the water, close in the tract of the fugitives,
descending again in the graceful curve peculiar to his active and
beautiful, but rapacious tribe. Another and another followed, their
golden scales flashing in the light, as they leaped clear of the water,
sometimes two or three together. We hastily made ready to attack both
pursuers and pursued, the instant they should come within reach. The
course of the chase brought them directly towards us, until the hunted
fishes fell in a glittering shower, so near, that I feared they might
pass under the boat before rising again; but they came to the surface
close bes