"It is a name applied to a calm expanse of the ocean between the Gulf Stream and the Equatorial Current, and is called so from the _Sargassum_, or Gulf-weed, which is continually found floating there--that is, when the wind is not too strong, as now, to blow it elsewhere.

You'll see plenty of the stuff as soon as the gale lulls, which it must do now, I think, in a very few hours." "Are you going to carry on still before it, sir ?" asked Mr Marline.
"Of course," answered the captain.

"The ship is sailing easily and not straining herself, as she would do if lying-to; and we can't run into any harm following the same course till morning.

I intend to work the gale in the same way as a friend of mine once treated a runaway horse.
It first started off to please itself, and then he made it keep up its pace to please him; so, as the wind has chosen to blow us along at its own sweet will all this time, it shall now drive the ship at my pleasure.

What do you say, Master Tom, eh ?" "I say it's a very good plan, captain," I replied laughing.
"Well, my boy, I'll tell you of another good plan, and that is to go below and turn in, as I purpose doing.