In two weeks time we had the N.E.  Trade Winds and fairly flew along.  Each day brought its own particular work aboard the ship, for a sailor is never idle.  There is always something for him to do.  Chafing gear, of which there is a large amount, is always being worn out and has to be renewed, sails made and repaired, work on rigging, tarring, painting, etc.

Perhaps the most interesting part of each day was the marking off of the chart at noon.  At that time the Captain would work out his latitude and longitude, mark our position for the last twenty-four hours, and shape our course for the next twenty-four.  We often towed lines for dolphin, and it was curious to see their change of color as they were hauled in.  We had them baked occasionally and found them very fair eating.  On opening one, at one time, it was found to be packed with flying fish which had been swallowed whole and which some of the sailors took out and had cooked for themselves, though for my part I should have preferred having the first eating of them.  The flying fish which came aboard were usually served to me as they were considered a great delicacy.  We caught many jelly fish or Portuguese men of war as they are sometimes called, and they were very curious to look at.  They are of a jelly-like substance, with apparently no eyes or mouth, and are bluish in color.  They have a pink crest and when the wind strikes them, as they float on the water, they rock and sway like a boat.  Dangling from the lower part are many small feelers, some of which are short and thick, and others of great length, which they turn and twist rapidly about.

A shade of homesickness came over me as I saw the North Star for the last time but I was soon interested in the Southern Cross of which I had heard so much.  I wish I could describe some of the beautiful colorings shown in the tropical sunsets.  I missed the twilight effects as seen at home, for as quickly as the sun goes down, darkness closes in.  As I was enjoying my evening walk with the Captain at one time, a small boy who had been sent to sea apparently with the idea of getting him out of the way, came to me and said, “Wouldn’t you like some Youth’s Companions to read?  I have lots of them.”  At that time I had more of a juvenile than a matronly air and I presume he thought they would furnish me with appreciative reading matter.  He had not then learned that he should not speak unless spoken to.  One day on being told to make a rope fast he replied, “I did hitch it.”  An order to let go a brace was answered by the question, “Which string do you mean?” At one time he was placed on duty to open and close shutters during squally weather and the officer told him to use a good application of soap and water before coming aft.  When the novelty of his new duty had worn off and he had rather forgotten why he had been placed there the officer called to him and said, “What did I tell you to do?” “Wash myself, sir,” was the reply.  It was a long while before he could obey an order without replying and at the same time to remember his “Sir” when a reply was necessary.