“Hurray!” cried Paddy.
“I’m agreeable,” said Archie.
So this was decided.
Ah, little did they know of the dangers and difficulties that in a few months’ time they would have to encounter.
But there was no man on board this brave barque, that was likely to fear the danger he had not yet faced.
The course from Madeira lay almost south, skirting the beautiful Canary Islands and lofty Teneriffe to the west, then on to the Cape Verd Islands.
Thence, with a point or two of westerly in it, the course was still southward to the wild shores of South America.
The weather continued all that was desirable, till the time the vessel reached the region of equatorial calms, called by sailors the doldrums.
Here are great hills of seas, as smooth as glass, but all in constant motion. There is not a breath of wind. The sails may be set and ready to receive it, but it seldom comes, except in uncertain cats’-paws, that may move the good ship on a hundred yards, then die away, and leave the canvas to flap, or sheets to crack.
The motion of the ship is distressing at such times. Down below everything is tumbling about, though in a slow and uncertain manner. The chairs may take a journey from one side of the room to the other, but speedily return; and the piano, if not lashed, would do so likewise.