The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1878-03-08

CHAPTER VI
The broad aud seemingly illimitable
ocean, upon whose billows our ship bad
rocked in the long days when We had
been becal,lel ia The tropics, or dashed
furiously into its depths in storms and
darkness, no longer presented the wild,
unbroken monotony Of boundless watery
waste upon which we had been Graded
for so many weary months.
Nervous as I was, and sick, I was so
happy 10 again get sight of land that
the Island OF Australia, which we dimly
beheld in the distance, dispelled from
my thoughts every vestige of homesick-
ness, aud my spirits grew as light and
bounding as the freed piniOns of a long
imprisoned bird. I was, indeed, joyous
as a lark Mrs. Motley and her excel
lent husband partook Of my hilarity.
Elder Chalmers was austere and woe
begone, as usual, and Gerald was ex-
ceedingly watchful and expectant.
We spent two days in laying of the
coast, awaiting pilot and tug. Steam
power was scarcely known in those
days, and it was no slight task for a
hundred oarsmen to tow a ship into
port. And yet it would seem that steam
has been ia use long time. l must be
growing old.
All, me!
I was disappointed with my first view
of the city of Melbourne. 1 had never
seen London, or any other of the worlds
large cities, aud my ideas concerning
their grandeur were exaggerated in the
extreme. We had entered the harbor
in the night time, and was not up and
dressed till our vessel lay moored along
side the dock
A company Of Her ATajesty's officers
came aboard about 9 A. n, while we
were yet at breakfast. Ny husband had
supplied me with such material for
clothing as the ship afforded, and Mrs.
Motley had assisted me to prepare a
very acceptable wardrobe. 1 had dressed
in anticipation Of company, and was not
displeased with my appearance. Yet
when these grant officials came, accom-
panied by their wives and attendants, |
was painfully conscious Of my own in
experience and iuferiority. 1 knew 1
was awkward, countryfied, and igno-
rant, and I needed the encouragement
which did not get.
My husband introduced me to His
Grace the Collector Of Customs, a
squabby, stocky man, who resembled a
perambulating beer barrel. I blushed
and bowed and fidgeted.
"a mere child, ell, Captain ?'' he said,
leering at me as though I had been
placed on exhibition, with a door fee
emitting each beholder to make his own
comments.
The others were presented in theiI
turn, but they had the good grace to in
dulge in no audible comments, though
they exchanged significant glances
among themselves, which I felt rather
than understood.
az assure your Grace that our Cap
tain's marriage was a very romantic
one" said Mrs. Motley, coming to the
rescue, as only a quick-witted woman
can.
"-Ahg"
His Grace ogled at me through bis
eyeglass, and again I fdgeted awk-
wardly.
''Yes; they came aboard-or my lady
did-without previous warning to any
Of us. We were all ready to weigh
anchor, and were only awaiting the
Captains appearance so that we might
sail, when he came, not alone, but
bringing with him this charming wood
land sprite, whom he married on shin
board. 1 assure your Highness that l
do not think we could have endured the
voyage without her"
By this time was over my confusion.
and but for the ogling of the gentlemen.
and the inquisitorial glanees Of The
grand ladies, who were stout and pom.
pous, I should have got on fanously.
very rarely find a woman with whom
am at my best in conversation, even il
these later years Men always inspir
me with wit and wisdom as womei
cannot.
81 beg my friends pardon" ] said
turning from Mrs. Motley to the gentle
men, and catching my husbands aux
ious glance, "but il was the company ol
ship board that made everything s.
pleasant. 1 really had very little to d
with it. We are all indebted to Mrs
Motley more than any other for assist
ing us to endure the monotony of so lon
journey"
"Well said, am extremely like her,
retorted Mrs. Motley, with laugh
"the only trouble being that it ism
truen
The company lad breakfasted befor
comingon board and the table was 500
cleared for the liquors in customary US
among Englishmen Of rank and inhu
eDce.
stopped low as the ladies rose TO re
tire, aud whispered in Gerald's ear:
Don't drink, darling; you'll kill N
II you do"