Here I sought out the mate, who was forward, watching the land--and at once took him aside to tell him the fact. "Well, sir," said he coolly, "and what of that? A sign of wind, certainly, before very long; but in the meantime we're _sure_ to have it off the land." "That's one of the very reasons," said I, "for thinking _this_ will be from seaward--since towards evening the land'll have plenty of air without it! But more than that, sir," said I, "I tell you, Mr Finch, I know the west coast of Africa pretty well--and so far south as this, the glass falling so low as _twenty-seven_, is always the sign of a nor'westerly blow! If you're a wise man, sir, you'll not only get your upper spars down on deck, but you'll see your anchors clear!" Finch had plainly got furious at my meddling again, and said he, "Instead of that, sir, I shall hold on _everything_ aloft, to stand out when I get the breeze!" "D'ye really think, then," said I, pointing to the farthest-off streak of land, trending away by this time astern of us, faint as it was; "_do_ you think you could ever weather that point, with anything like a strong nor'-wester, besides a current heading you in, as you got fair hold of it again?" "Perhaps not," said he, wincing a little as he glanced at it, "but you happen always to suppose what there's a thousand to one against, sir! Why, sir, you might as well take the command at once! But, by G----! sir, if it _did_ come to that, I'd rather--I'd rather see the ship _lost_--I'd rather go to the bottom with all in her, after handling her as I know well how, than I'd see the chance given to _you_!" The young fellow fairly shouted this last word into my very ear--he was in a regular furious passion. "You'd _better_ let me alone, that's all I've got to say to you, sir!" growled he as he turned away; so I thought it no use to say more, and leant over the bulwarks, resolved to see it out.