142 THE BOY CAPTAIN.

when we should reach port, I have changed my mind in
regard to them asaclass. I now know they are not all
gallant at heart.”

«There are a good many who can’t be counted upon
under any circumstances; but take Jack as a lot, and
there are less scoundrels to be found in his ranks than
among the same number of men ashore.”

«Don’t let us continue the subject. It carries me back
to matters which had better not be thought of when every-
thing around looks so peaceful. How luminous the sea
is,’ she added, as a means of changing the topic of
conversation.”

“T’ve noticed for the last three or four nights that the
water has been particularly bright, even during a rain
storm. Do you believe that glow is caused by insects?”

«TJ don’t suppose any one absolutely knows, but the
best theory I have heard is that the luminous substance
is something which is thrown off as a secretion supplied
by the glands of the animalcula, although a few natural-
ists insist that it is caused by fatty degenerations in the
tiny forms of life, the decomposed fat being the cause of
the phosphorescence.”

“JT have often wondered whether it wasn’t something
of the same nature as the composants, as the sailors call
it, or St. Elmo’s fire? We have had no less than three
lights dancing around on the yard-arm at one time since
this dirty spell came on. I fancied more than once that
they dropped into the water, and on each occasion the
phosphorescence appeared unusually luminous.”