be so fond of this exercise, and to take such an interest in
watching the formations of coral and the gambols of the many
beautiful fish amongst the forests of red and green sea-weeds, that
we had become quite familiar with the appearance of the fish and
the localities that they chiefly haunted. We had also become
expert divers. But we made it a rule never to stay long under
water at a time. Jack told me that to do so often was bad for the
lungs, and, instead of affording us enjoyment, would ere long do us
a serious injury. So we never stayed at the bottom as long as we
might have done, but came up frequently to the top for fresh air,
and dived down again immediately. Sometimes, when Jack happened to
be in a humorous frame, he would seat himself at the bottom of the
sea on one of the brain corals, as if he were seated on a large
paddock-stool, and then make faces at me, in order, if possible, to
make me laugh under water. At first, when he took me unawares, he
nearly succeeded, and I had to shoot to the surface in order to
laugh; but afterwards I became aware of his intentions, and, being
naturally of a grave disposition, I had no difficulty in
restraining myself. I used often to wonder how poor Peterkin would
have liked to be with us; and he sometimes expressed much regret at
being unable to join us. I used to do my best to gratify him, poor
fellow, by relating all the wonders that we saw; but this, instead
of satisfying, seemed only to whet his curiosity the more, so one
day we prevailed on him to try to go down with us. But, although a
brave boy in every other way, Peterkin was very nervous in the
water, and it was with difficulty we got him to consent to be taken
down, for he could never have managed to push himself down to the
bottom without assistance. But no sooner had we pulled him down a
yard or so into the deep clear water, than he began to struggle and
kick violently, so we were forced to let him go, when he rose out