Bob managed to get out on deck, however, and, through the clear
atmosphere that followed the storm, he saw the dim outlines of
Terra del Fuego—"The Land of Fire"—as part of the end of the
South American continent is called.
They finished the passage of the Straits of Magellan without further incident. After that it seemed as if their troubles would be at an end. The sea went down, and, as they made the turn around the South American coast and once more began to approach the equator, the Eagle skimmed along like the bird whose name it bore.
"If this weather and the fair breezes keep up," said Captain Spark one day, "we'll arrive ahead of time."
"I guess you didn't think so during the storm, did you?" inquired
Bob.
"No indeed! It seemed as if it was going to be touch and go with us one spell. But how do you like your trip—so far?"
"Very much."
"I'm glad of it. I promised your mother it would do you good, and
I think it will."
Captain Spark was secretly delighted with the success of his experiment. He thought Bob had given up all his tricks, but that same day showed how much mistaken he was. The boy, seeing a chance to have some sport with one of the sailors—a German—sewed up the sleeves of the man's Jersey. When the man tumbled out of his bunk, in a hurry to take his watch on deck, he could not understand the reason why he could not put on his garment.
"Vot's der madder?" he exclaimed, struggling with the sleeves.
"Der vitches haf been at vork! I am bevitched!"
"More like that onery critter of a boy done it," suggested his messmate, a practical Yankee.