In the part of the Arafura that I came to first, where it was shallow, sea-snakes writhed about on the surface and tumbled over and over in the waves.

As the sloop sailed farther on, where the sea became deep, they disappeared.

In the ocean, where the water is blue, not one was ever seen.
In the days of serene weather there was not much to do but to read and take rest on the _Spray_, to make up as much as possible for the rough time off Cape Horn, which was not yet forgotten, and to forestall the Cape of Good Hope by a store of ease.

My sea journal was now much the same from day to day-something like this of June 26 and 27, for example: June 26, in the morning, it is a bit squally; later in, the day blowing a steady breeze.
On the log at noon is 130 miles _Subtract_ correction for slip 10 " -- ------- 120 " _Add_ for current 10 " -- ------ 130 " Latitude by observation at noon, 10 degrees 23' S.
Longitude as per mark on the chart.
There wasn't much brain-work in that log, I'm sure.

June 27 makes a better showing, when all is told: First of all, to-day, was a flying-fish on deck; fried it in butter.
133 miles on the log.
For slip, off, and for current, on, as per guess, about equal--let it go at that.
Latitude by observation at noon, 10 degrees 25' S.
For several days now the _Spray_ sailed west on the parallel of 10 degrees 25' S., as true as a hair.