The Storm on the Indian Ocean

           Twodaysafterthisconversation,JohnManglesannouncedthattheDuncanwasinlongitude113degrees37minutes,andthepassengersfoundonconsultingthechartthatconsequentlyCapeBernouillicouldnotbemorethanfivedegreesoff.TheymustbesailingtheninthatpartoftheIndianOceanwhichwashedtheAustraliancontinent,andinfourdaysmighthopetoseeCapeBernouilliappearonthehorizon.

           Hithertotheyachthadbeenfavoredbyastrongwesterlybreeze,butnowtherewereevidentsignsthatacalmwasimpending,andonthe13thofDecemberthewindfellentirely;asthesailorssay,therewasnotenoughtofillacap.

           Therewasnosayinghowlongthisstateoftheatmospheremightlast.Butforthepowerfulpropellertheyachtwouldhavebeenobligedtoliemotionlessasalog.Theyoungcaptainwasverymuchannoyed,however,attheprospectofemptyinghiscoal-bunkers,forhehadcoveredhisshipwithcanvas,intendingtotakeadvantageoftheslightestbreeze.

           "Afterall,though,"saidGlenarvan,withwhomhewastalkingoverthesubject,"itisbettertohavenowindthanacontraryone."

           "YourLordshipisright,"repliedJohnMangles;"butthefactisthesesuddencalmsbringchangeofweather,andthisiswhyIdreadthem.Wearecloseonthetradewinds,andifwegetthemeversolittleinourteeth,itwilldelayusgreatly."

           "Well,John,whatifitdoes?Itwillonlymakeourvoyagealittlelonger."

           "Yes,ifitdoesnotbringastormwithit."