"Bottom? Why, there are no soundings here under four miles, and it would take a pretty long root to stretch to such a depth! No, the sargasso weed floats and lives on the surface. When examined closely, it is found to have an oblong narrow serrated leaf of a pale yellow colour, resembling somewhat in form a cauliflower stripped of its leaves, the nodules being composed of a vast number of small branches, about half an inch long, which shoot out from each other at a sharp angle, and hence multiply continually towards the outer circumference of the plant, each extreme point producing a round seed-vessel like a berry. A great number of little crabs, barnacles, and small shell-fish are generally found attached to the weed, as Captain Miles mentioned just now when he said we might find something to eat amidst the branches of it in an emergency. It is wonderful sometimes to see with what regularity the weed is arranged across the ocean when the wind blows. It looks then exactly like a meadow does after it has been fresh mown and the grass is left upon it in long swathes by the scythe at equal distances apart." "There, Master Tom," put in Captain Miles here, "I think you know now all that Mr Marline can tell you about the Sargasso Sea and the weed to be found there. It's about time we all turned in now for the night, for the sun has set and it will soon be dark. Have all you men," he called out aloud, "lashed yourselves securely?" "Aye, aye, sir," they answered one by one, Moggridge coming last. "Then good night, and good cheer, my lads!" he cried. "Keep your peckers up, and to-morrow morning. I daresay, we'll see our way out of this predicament. I don't think it is going to blow any more, so you may compose yourselves to rest as cosily, my lads, as if you were in your bunks here, without fear of anything much troubling you, for the sharks can't harm you!" The sun had set by this time and the evening grew gradually dark, for there was no moon, as the heavens were overcast; but still, the wind did not get up again, and the motion of the ship being easy enough we lay along the side of the ship very comfortably, most of the men soon falling asleep, and I soon following their example. It must have been towards morning, for a dim sort of light was beginning to be perceptible in the east, we were wakened up by a terrible yell. A moment afterwards a heavy splash sounded in the water alongside. "Good heavens! what is that?" cried Captain Miles, starting up and trying to peer through the darkness, so as to see who was missing. "Anyone gone overboard?" "Yes, sir," answered Jackson's voice presently, as if he had waited to reconnoitre, "it is one of the German sailors, poor Hermann. He has probably slipped his lashings and slid down the side. I'm afraid the sharks have taken him, for he has never called out once!" "Poor fellow!" exclaimed the captain, raising a hail. "Hi, hullo!"