I believe that the astronomers sent an expedition there a few years ago, to observe the transit of Venus: but it was a failure because the weather was so misty--it is nearly always misty there.

Well, I must be off, Miss Smithers.

Good night; or, rather, good morning." Before the words were well out of his mouth, there was a wild shout forward--"_ship ahead_!" Then came an awful yell from a dozen voices--"_starboard! Hard-a-starboard, for God's sake_." With a wild leap, like the leap of a man suddenly shot, the captain left her side and rushed on to the bridge.

At the same instant the engine-bell rang and the steering-chains began to rattle furiously on the rollers at her feet as the steam steering-gear did its work.

Then came another yell-- "_It's a whaler!--no lights_!" and an answering shriek of terror from some big black object that loomed ahead.