"Very true," said I; "there is nothing I desire so much as to have
a closer inspection of them."

"And I think," said Jack, "that you had better remain at home,
Peterkin, to take care of the cat; for I'm sure the hogs will be at
it in your absence, out of revenge for your killing their great-
grandmother so recklessly."

"Stay at home?" cried Peterkin; "my dear fellow, you would
certainly lose your way, or get upset, if I were not there to take
care of you."

"Ah, true," said Jack, gravely, "that did not occur to me; no doubt
you must go. Our boat does require a good deal of ballast; and all
that you say, Peterkin, carries so much weight with it, that we
won't need stones if you go."

Now, while my companions were talking, a notable event occurred,
which, as it is not generally known, I shall be particular in
recording here.

While we were talking, as I have said, we noticed a dark line, like
a low cloud or fog-bank, on the seaward horizon. The day was a
fine one, though cloudy, and a gentle breeze was blowing, but the
sea was not rougher, or the breaker on the reef higher, than usual.
At first we thought that this looked like a thunder-cloud; and, as
we had had a good deal of broken weather of late, accompanied by
occasional peals of thunder, we supposed that a storm must be
approaching. Gradually, however, this line seemed to draw nearer,