He was undisturbed for some
time, until the noise of our bows, gradually approaching, roused
him, when, lifting his head, he stared upon us for a moment, and
then spread his wide wings and took his flight.
CHAPTER VI
LOSS OF A MAN--SUPERSTITION
Monday, Nov. 19th. This was a black day in our calendar. At seven
o'clock in the morning, it being our watch below, we were aroused from
a sound sleep by the cry of "All hands ahoy! a man overboard!" This
unwonted cry sent a thrill through the heart of every one, and
hurrying on deck, we found the vessel hove flat aback, with all her
studding-sails set; for the boy who was at the helm left it to throw
something overboard, and the carpenter, who was an old sailor, knowing
that the wind was light, put the helm down and hove her aback. The
watch on deck were lowering away the quarter-boat, and I got on deck
just in time to heave myself into her as she was leaving the side; but
it was not until out upon the wide Pacific, in our little boat, that I
knew whom we had lost. It was George Ballmer, a young English
sailor, who was prized by the officers as an active and willing
seaman, and by the crew as a lively, hearty fellow, and a good
shipmate.
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