swept down on us, lashing up the sea in white foam as it went. We
presented the stern of the boat to its first violence, and, in a
few seconds, it moderated into a steady breeze, to which we spread
our sail and flew merrily over the waves. Although the breeze died
away soon afterwards, it had been so stiff while it lasted, that we
were carried over the greater part of our way before it fell calm
again; so that, when the flapping of the sail against the mast told
us that it was time to resume the oars, we were not much more than
a mile from Penguin Island.

"There go the soldiers!" cried Peterkin as we came in sight of it;
"how spruce their white trousers look, this morning! I wonder if
they will receive us kindly. D'you think they are hospitable,
Jack?"

"Don't talk, Peterkin, but pull away, and you shall see shortly."

As we drew near to the island we were much amused by the manoeuvres
and appearance of these strange birds. They seemed to be of
different species, for some had crests on their heads while others
had none, and while some were about the size of a goose others
appeared nearly as large as a swan. We also saw a huge albatross
soaring above the heads of the penguins. It was followed and
surrounded by numerous flocks of sea-gulls. Having approached to
within a few yards of the island, which was a low rock, with no
other vegetation on it than a few bushes, we lay on our oars and
gazed at the birds with surprise and pleasure, they returning our
gaze with interest. We now saw that their soldier-like appearance
was owing to the stiff, erect manner in which they sat on their
short legs, - "Bolt-up-right," as Peterkin expressed it. They had