ON DECK TIt

On each side of the schooner a “school” of porpoises
gambolled. Fast though the #4éa was going, these nimble
creatures passed her without difficulty, tumbling and turn-
ing somersaults in their native element with marvellous
agility.

But Roch did not even glance at them as he leant over
the netting. Serké and Spade hurried to him, and fearing
lest he should fall overboard, they held him firmly and
brought him back to the deck.

I noticed besides—for I knew the symptoms well—that
the inventor was strongly excited. He turned round and
round, he gesticulated and uttered incoherent words,
addressed to nobody.

It was only too evident that a crisis was coming—an
attack similar to the one he had suffered from on his last
night at Healthful House, and which had had such fatal
consequences. It would be necessary to take him down to
his cabin, and perhaps I might be summoned to administer
the special remedies to which he was accustomed.

In the meantime Serk6 and the captain did not lose sight
of him, but it was evidently their intention to let him alone,
and see what he would do,

He advanced to the mainmast, and after looking in vain
for its sails, he went up to it, threw his arms round it, and
shook it as though he wanted to pull it down.

His excitement was increasing momentarily, inarticulate
cries had succeeded to vague words.

At a word from the captain, two sailors ran to him, and
took him round the body. The schooner’s men were big,