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Updated: May 25, 2025
Over the seas on which we were sailing it was necessary, both night and day, to keep a very sharp look-out; not only for whales, but to avoid the dangers of coral-reefs, and islands of all sizes, which in many parts sprinkle it so thickly. "Land ahead!" was shouted from the foretopmast-head one forenoon, as we were slowly gliding over the blue surface of the deep.
Wenlock, who had been taking his spell at the pumps, walked aft. "We are in the latitude of the West India Islands," observed the captain. "Any hour we may make land, and a bright look-out must be kept for it." Experienced seamen were aloft straining their eyes ahead and on either bow. At length a voice came from the foretopmast-head, "Land! land!" "Where away?" cried the captain.
I went aloft when I heard the ever-welcome cry from the foretopmast-head: "Land! land on the starboard bow!" Then I saw it rising in a succession of faint blue hills out of the sparkling sea.
One, a large barque, somewhat the nearest to us, was clearly an English merchantman; the other, a low, black schooner, had the wicked, rakish appearance of a Spanish slaver. The look-out from the foretopmast-head gave notice at the same time that he could see two boats pulling from one vessel to the other. The captain and all the officers were speedily on deck.
After lunch, Tom had me hoisted up to the foretopmast-head in a 'boatswain's chair, which is simply a small plank, suspended by ropes at the four corners, and used by the men to sit on when they scrape the masts.
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