the splendid winter sky, in the fresh sea-breeze, and in the swift
motion of the steamer.

His eyes, however, with those of all his party, were fixed upon the
beloved receding shore; for so smooth as yet was the motion of the
steamer that it did not seem to be so much the "Oceana" that was
sailing eastward, as the shore that was receding and dropping down
below the western horizon.

They stood watching it until all the prominent objects grew
gradually indistinct and became blended in each other; then until
the dimly diversified boundary faded into a faint irregular blue
line; then until it vanished. Only then they left the deck and went
down into the cabin to explore their staterooms.

Ishmael found the professor, who had gone down a few minutes before
him, busy unpacking his master's sea trunk, and getting him, as he
said:

"Comfortably to housekeeping for the next two weeks."

When Ishmael entered the professor was just in the act of setting up
the three books that comprised the sea library, carefully arranging
them on a tiny circular shelf in the corner. One of the stateroom
stewards who stood watching the "landlubber's" operations
sarcastically said:

"How long, friend, do you expect them books to stand there?"

"Until my master takes them down, sir," politely answered the