nger dive down among the beautiful coral groves at the bottom
of the lagoon. We had come to be so fond of this exercise, and to take
such an interest in watching the formations of coral and the gambols of
the many beautiful fish amongst the forest of red and green seaweeds,
that we had become quite familiar with the appearance of the fish and
the localities that they chiefly haunted. We had also become expert
divers. But we made it a rule never to stay long under water at a time.
Jack told me that to do so often was bad for the lungs, and instead of
affording us enjoyment, would ere long do us a serious injury. So we
never stayed at the bottom as long as we might have done, but came up
frequently to the top for fresh air, and dived down again immediately.
Sometimes, when Jack happened to be in a humorous frame, he would seat
himself at the bottom of the sea on one of the brain-corals, as if he
were seated on a large paddock-stool, and then make faces at me in
order, if possible, to make me laugh under water. At first, when he
took me unawares, he nearly succeeded, and I had to shoot to the surface
in order to laugh; but afterwards I became aware of his intentions, and
being naturally of a grave disposition, I had no difficulty in
restraining myself. I used often to wonder how poor Peterkin would have
liked to be with us; and he sometimes expressed much regret at being
unable to join us. I used to do my best to gratify him, poor fellow, by
relating all the wonders that we saw; but this, instead of satisfying,
seemed only to whet his curiosity the more, so one day we prevailed on
him to try to go down with us. But although a brave boy in every other
way, Peterkin was very nervous in the water; and it was with difficulty
we got him to consent to be taken down, for he could never have managed
to push himself down to the bottom without assistance. But no sooner
had we pulled him down a yard or so into the deep, clear water than he
began to struggle and kick violently; so we were forced to let him go,
when he rose out of the water like a cork, gave a loud gasp and a
frightful roar, and struck out for the land with the utmost possible
haste.

Now all this pleasure we were to forego, and when we thought thereon,
Jack and I felt very much depressed in our spirits. I could see, also,
that Peterkin grieved and sympathised with us; for, when talking about
this matter, he refrained from jesting and bantering us upon it.