“Lar, now! Why, you’ve just missed the West Wind by a fin’s length! He blew by here about two bells after the dog watch. Won’t you come inside and sit down?” added Mr. Skipper Blubberkins, with an inviting smile. “Not if I know it!” said the Albatross ungraciously. And with one sweep of his mighty wings he sped on, and the Whale was soon left behind. “I--I should rather like to have gone in!” said Coppertop. CHAPTER IX. IN THE TROPICS They were now in the tropics. The ocean lay basking in the heat, with scarcely a ripple upon its placid green face. It was very beautiful and mysterious. A slight mauve haze hung over the sky, and the horizon was lost in a golden mist. It seemed to the children that the whole world had fallen into a peaceful slumber, and was dreaming a beautiful dream. Nothing moved, nothing stirred but the heat that danced on the hazy ocean. Without a visible movement of his mighty wings, the Albatross glided calmly along, gazing dreamily at his reflection in the water below. Then, without warning, from the shimmering waves came the words of a mysterious song! Very faint, at first--like the dream-voices of fairies--it grew louder, until they could catch the words clearly-- “Albatross! Albatross! Where are you flying? Stay here, we pray you, We’ll take no denying. Beautiful bird, With a wonderful motion, Tell us what lifts you With ease o’er the ocean.” The Albatross heard too, but he was nervous and pretended he didn’t. “Albatross! Albatross! May we draw near? You are so beautiful, Pearly and dear. You most magnificent Bird of the ocean, May we draw near you And offer devotion.” At this the Albatross visibly trembled. Then turned his head and preened a stray feather into place. “Albatross! Albatross! Be not afraid, Fly not away From a little sea-maid. Long have we waited In vain for this hour, Now you have entered The realm of our power.” At this the Albatross made an effort to fly away. But a golden rainbow rose from the ocean and encircled him, and he did not know which way to fly. As the song ended, all the waters around seemed to ripple with joyous laughter. And here and there a little foam-crest appeared, and pearly-white arms robed in a mist of rainbow spray stretched up towards the Albatross. The ocean beneath them seemed to be alive with shadowy forms, and merry little faces smiled up through the veil of emerald water. It was evident that the head of the foolish bird had been turned by all this praise, for he hovered, hesitating, just above the little white arms. Then he sank lower and lower. Countless silvery voices repeated the enchanting song. And it seemed to the children that they were being rocked to sleep in a cradle of silver sound. Kiddiwee and Coppertop were enraptured. And they gazed wonder-eyed at the beautiful sea-maidens. Lower still drifted the Albatross, and there came a dreamy far-away look into his eyes.