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  CHAPTER SIX.

  THE GULLS.

  I have styled my determination a bold one. True, there was nothingremarkable in the enterprise itself.

  I only mean that it was bold for one so young and so little as I was atthe time. Three miles rowing would be a good long pull, and that rightout into the great deep water almost beyond sight of the shore! I hadnever been so far before, nor half so far, neither; in fact, never morethan a mile from the beach, and in pretty shallow water, too--I mean,while by myself.

  With Blew I had been everywhere around the bay; but then, of course, Ihad nothing to do with the management of the boat; and, trusting to theskill of the young waterman, had no cause to feel afraid.

  Alone, the case was different. Everything depended upon myself; andshould any accident arise, I should have no one to give me eithercounsel or assistance.

  Indeed, before I had got quite a mile from the shore, I began to reflectthat my enterprise was not only a bold but a _rash_ one, and very littlewould have induced me to turn round and pull back.

  It occurred to me, however, that some one might have been watching mefrom the shore; some boy who was jealous of my prowess as an oarsman--and there were such in our village--and this boy or boys would have seenthat I had started for the islet, would easily have divined my reasonsfor turning back, and would not fail to "twit" me with cowardice.Partly influenced by this thought, and partly because I still had adesire to proceed, I plucked up fresh spirit and rowed on.

  When I had got within about half a mile of the shoal, I rested upon myoars, and looked behind me, for in that direction lay the goal I wasstruggling to reach. I perceived at a glance that the little islet wasquite out of the water, as if the tide was at its lowest; but the blackstones were not visible on account of the birds that were standing orsitting all over them. It looked as if a flock of swans or white geesewere resting upon the shoal; but I knew they were only large gulls, formany of the same kind were wheeling about in the air--some settling downand some rising to take a fresh flight. Even at the distance of half amile, I could hear their screaming quite distinctly, and I had heard itmuch further off, so calm was the atmosphere.

  I was now the more anxious to proceed on account of the presence of thebirds, for I was desirous of getting near them and having a good view ofthem. I intended to stop again before going too close, in order towatch the movements of these pretty creatures; for many of them were inmotion over the shoal, and I could not divine what they were about.

  In hopes that they would let me approach near enough to observe them, Irowed gently and silently, dipping the blades of my oars as carefully asa cat would set down her paws.

  When I had reached within some two hundred yards of them, I once morelifted the oars above water, and twisted my neck round to look at thebirds. I observed that I had not yet alarmed them. Though gulls arerather shy birds, they know pretty well the range of a commonfowling-piece, and will rarely trouble themselves to stir from the spotwhere they are seated until one is just getting within shootingdistance. I had no gun, and therefore they had nothing to fear--notmuch, indeed, even had I possessed one, as I should not have known howto use it. It is probable enough that had they seen a gun they wouldnot have allowed me so near, for white gulls somewhat resemble, blackcrows in this respect, and can distinguish between a gun and hoe-handlea long way off. Right well do they know the glance of a"shooting-iron."

  I watched the creatures for a long while with great interest; and wouldhave considered myself well rewarded for the exertions I had made ingetting there, had I even turned back on the spot and rowed ashoreagain. The birds that clustered near the stones were all gulls, butthere were two kinds, very different in size, and somewhat unlike incolour. One sort had black heads and greyish wings, while the other andlarger kind was nearly of a pure white colour. Nothing could exceed thecleanly appearance of both. They looked as if a spot of dirt had neversoiled their snowy plumage; and their beautiful red legs shone likebranches of the purest coral. I made out that those upon the stoneswere engaged in various ways. Some ran about evidently in search offood; and this consisted of the small fry of fish that had been left bythe receding tide, as well as little crabs, shrimps, lobsters, mussels,and other curious animals of the sea. A great many of the birds merelysat preening their white plumage, of which they appeared to be not alittle proud. But although they all looked contented and happy, theywere evidently not exempted, any more than other living creatures, fromcares and evil passions. This was proved by the fact that more than oneterrible quarrel occurred among them while I was looking on, from whatcause--unless it was the male birds battling through jealousy--I couldnot determine. A most captivating sight it was to see those upon thewing engaged in their occupation of fishing; to see them shoot down froma height of more than a hundred yards, disappear with almost silentplunge beneath the blue waves, and after a short interval emerge,bearing their glittering prey in their beaks. Of all the movements ofbirds, either upon foot or on the wing, I think there is none sointeresting to look at as the actions of the fishing gull while engagedin pursuit of his prey. Even the kite is not more graceful in itsflight. The sudden turning in his onward course--the momentary pause tofix more accurately the position of his prey--the arrow-like descent--the plunge--the white spray dancing upward, and then the hiatusoccasioned by the total disappearance of the winged thunderbolt, untilthe white object starts forth again above the blue surface--all thesepoints are incomparable to behold. No ingenuity of man, aided by allthe elements of air, water, or fire, can produce an exhibition with sofine an effect.

  For a good long while I sat in my little boat watching the movements ofthe gulls; and then, satisfied that I had not made the excursion invain, I turned myself to carrying out my original design, and landingupon the reef.

  The pretty birds kept their places until I had got nearly up to itsedge. They seemed to know that I intended them no harm, and did notmistrust me. At all events, they had no fear of a gun, for when they atlength arose they winged their way directly over my head, so near that Icould almost have struck them down with the oar.

  One, that I thought was larger than any of the flock, had been all thetime perched in a conspicuous place--on the top of the signal-staff.Perhaps I only fancied him larger on account of the position in which hewas placed; but I noticed that before any of the others took to flight,he had shot upward with a screech, as if it were a command for the restto follow example. Very likely he was either the sentinel or leader ofthe flock; and this little bit of tactics was no other than I had oftenseen practised by a flock of crows, when engaged on a pillagingexpedition in a field of beans or potatoes.

  The departure of the birds appeared to produce a darkening effect uponmy spirits. The very sea seemed blacker after they had gone; but thiswas natural enough, for instead of their white plumage that had filledmy eyes, I now looked upon the desolate reef, covered over with loosestones that were as black as if coated with tar. This was only partlywhat had brought about the change in my feelings. There was anothercause. A slight breeze had sprung up, as a cloud passed suddenly overthe sun's disc; and the surface of the water, hitherto smooth andglassy, had grown all at once of a greyish hue by the curling of thelittle waves.

  The reef had a forbidding aspect; but determined to _explore_ it--sinceI had come so far for that especial purpose--I rowed on till the keel ofthe dinghy grated upon the rocks.

  A little cove presented itself to my view, which I thought would answermy purpose; and heading my prow up into it, I stepped out, and took myway direct towards the staff--that object which for so many years I hadlooked upon from afar, and with which I had longed to be more intimatelyacquainted.