"Is he dead ?" "I believe so, indeed," retorted Captain Hull, gravely, "as he has never existed!" And each began to laugh, looking at Cousin Benedict.
Thus, then, in these conversations, and many others, which invariably bore on some point of entomological science, whenever Cousin Benedict took part, passed away long hours of this navigation against contrary winds.

The sea always fine, but winds which obliged the schooner to tack often.

The "Pilgrim" made very little headway toward the east--the breeze was so feeble; and they longed to reach those parts where the prevailing winds would be more favorable.
It must be stated here that Cousin Benedict had endeavored to initiate the young novice into the mysteries of entomology.

But Dick Sand had shown himself rather refractory to these advances.

For want of better company the savant had fallen back on the negroes, who comprehended nothing about it.