Surprise pealed forth from the lips of those in the boat, and terror from the throat of the struggling man, while a hoarse croak from the gullet of the albatross, followed by what appeared a mocking scream of triumph.

Then quick succeeded a crashing sound, as the sharp heavy beak of the bird broke through the skull of the swimmer, striking him dead, as if by the shot of a six-pounder, and sending his lifeless body down toward the bottom of the sea! It came not up again--at all events, it was never more seen by his castaway companions; who, dropping the oars in sorrowful despair, allowed the boat to drift away from the fatal spot--in whatever direction the soft-sighing breeze might capriciously carry it.
-- ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Note 1.

The albatross Is the largest of the ocean-birds.

Its wings, when extended, measuring fifteen feet, and its weight sometimes exceeding twenty to twenty-four pounds.

The common albatross is the _Diomedea exulans_ of naturalists.