This dreadful gale--which began to lull about twelve o’clock Sunday night--also left us with a fair breeze, which wafted us around the Cape of Storms; and on the 9th of January we were in the South Atlantic, with our prow pointing homeward, and beginning to indulge in the fancy that our long voyage was fast drawing near to an auspicious close. As we neared Cape Lagullas the air became bracing; and before we had reached the Atlantic Ocean the atmosphere was delightful. While rounding the Cape we fell in company with several kinds of sea-birds; most of which, being new to us, were objects of much interest. The albatross, in particular,--whether on the wing, or floating with majestic grace upon the waves,--was always greeted with admiration. The fair breeze with which we entered the Atlantic continued until we reached a favorable trade-wind; and--the latter accompanying us until the 15th of January--we were at that date but seven miles from the southern tropics. Here the weather becoming again very warm, the little vigor which I had gained while sailing within the bracing region of the Cape, was soon dissipated; and it seemed as though the long days and nights of prostration and suffering, experienced before our ship had reached and passed the equator, would never end. On the 2d of February, however, we were nearly one degree north of the equinoctial line, and beginning to feel, in a slight degree, the influence of the bracing wind from the north. On the 10th,--being nearly out of the tropics, and hoping to reach New York in ten or fifteen days,--with the assistance of my young friend and only protector, Master Charlie, I began to pack and make a few preparations in anticipation of that event. FOOTNOTE: [41] The deer--which were purchased by Captain Frisbie--throve well, and were doing finely when we were taken by the pirate steamer _Florida_. Then, however, they passed into the hands of the chief buccaneer, Captain Maffit, who, soon after we were transferred from his vessel to the Danish bark _Morning Star_, visited the island of Barbadoes, and being dined and fêted by the Governor of that English colony, he presented these beautiful creatures to the daughter of his kind and hospitable entertainer. It was also reliably stated in the public prints that Captain Maffit and his officers made presents to the English ladies of beautiful articles from China and Japan. These ladies were also highly delighted with some small canisters of choice tea which Captain Maffit gave them; and as these were all from our packages, I cannot say less than to express the fear that if our English cousins _enjoy_ the possession of the Oriental articles which we lost, they may also have disposed of their self-respect when drinking our tea. CHAPTER XV.