Around the Horn in '49 [pp. 93-99]

94 Around the Horn in'49. [July
some hours, sinking them one after another, night; a stray flying fish, perhaps taking win
and then "the last link was broken." to escape the hungry jaws of some enemy be
March igth.-A strong breeze dead aft, low, had the misfortune to alight on our decks
tumblingthevesselaboutratherrudely. About out of the water and into the frying pan.
one-half the company sea-sick. Our barque is very lively today, and sundr
March 20th.-Weather more moderate, accidents have occurred. Steward slippe
and most of the men in fine spirits. Schools down with two pots of molasses in his hand
of porpoises about the ship. Have some and got well sweetened. The dishes in th
good musicians, and the instruments are cabin got on a dance, and some jumped o
brought up. the table, the mustard pot getting a broke
Marchi 2-st.-Rough weather; wind ahead, neck.
and blowing a gale; woe-begone looking April z4th.-A sail passed us this A. M
countenances about decks, quite a contrast heading northeast, probably bound for Eu
to last evening, when, with light, pleasant rope. In the P. M., in company with two
breezes, all hands mustered on the house, other vessels; first spoke with the Danis
and with music, song, and dance, whiled brig " Otto," bound to St. Thomas; next, a
away the time. We are now close reefed, 5.30, spoke thebarque "Rising Sun," Hoo
and decks continually wet with spray, and er, master, of New York, bound for Califo
many of the company sea-sick. nia. During the interview, a scene was pr
March 22d.-Still pitching along in the sented that would have made a good subje
Gulf Stream. The decks forward leak bad- for a painter. A black cloud had spread ove
ly, wetting the berths and bedding. Some the zenith and a large portion of the sk
of our young married men are rather down from which descended a gentle April showe
in the mouth, and wish that they had taken while from the clear western horizon the su
the shorter, and, as they think, more agree- shone with splendor on the two vessels no
able route overland. chancing to meet on the wide ocean; a ma
Sunday, March 25f1h.-A fine, pleasant nificent rainbow completes the view, formin
morning, improved by us to dry clothes and with theRising and settingsuns, a trio ofbea
bedding; a week out, and all but three are tiful objects. Hearty cheering took plac
well. Wrote letters to friends at home, in and a note containing the following challeng
readiness should we meet a vessel homeward was thrown on our deck:
bound. Sacred music in the evening. "Boher Caonas
"Bsoother Californianzs'
Adpril 2d.-Today we divided the corm-.
pril 2d.-Today we divided the com- "We propose for your consideration the bet of to
pany into quarter watches, giving us much dozen bottles of champagne, to beat your good ve
more leisure than the " watch and watch" sel to San Francisco, the last arrival to treat t
system, having now twelve hours below to crowd. Three cheers for our good vessels, and
four on deck. pleasant and p)rosperots passage.