The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-02-17

Iu.ssssins Account q IL Voyage On tie God
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liner that we can hardly realize that
only eight days have elapsed since
lighting our way through the ieer-6elds
in New York harbor, wepassed Sandy
Hook and stood out to sea. The r.
NJ. s. "Gallia" is trim ship of some
5000 tons burden, with an average
speed Of Is knots an hour. While
neither 50 large nor 50 swift as some
Of the boats belonging to the Cunard
fleet, she is thoroughly comfortable,
with cuisine that is unsurpassed. Her
commander, Captain Ferguson, is de-
cidedly one Of the most popular men
in the Cunard service, while few can
equal the genial purser, Mr.. Lancas-
ter, in singing comic songs or cracking
jokes.
As is generally the case when the
passengers he few in number, our lit
tie party, consisting Of only 30 saloon
passengers, soon became acquainted,
and il would be difficult to find more
pleasant or social set. There were ten
Americans, twelve English, and one
Frenchman, SO, as the party was
evenly divided, many and long were
the friendly discussions oyer the rel
spective merits Of the two great sister
countries. The chief aim in life on
board steamer appears to be to as
certain ones eating capacity, and as
most Of our party we're good sailors,
we gave our cook plenty Of work.
The steward woke us with coffee and
oranges; at $50 breakfast is served,
after which we played at quoits,
shuttle board, and other marine amuse-
|ments until noon. when excitement
ran high to know who had won the
pool on the days run. Luncheon
came at l O'Clock, then more games or
reading, and at 4 p. m. every one
turned up for afternoon tea on deck.
Dinner was served at 6 o'clock and
supper about $3.50, and the intervals
were filed with drinks Of all kinds,
fruits and crackers. The menus com
prised almost everything in the way Of
fish, flesh or fowl. obtainable at this
season ON either side Of the Atlantic,
so hunger was not a common occur
renee during the voyage.
Thirty-six hours ont, we passed into
the gulf stream, and the temperature,
instead Of remaining near zero, be-
came mild and pleasant, enabling us
to sit on deck, in brilliant sunshine,
with sea as calm as the proverbial
mill pond; indeed, more delightful
weather could hardly be experienced
at any season.
Our most interesting fellow passen-
ger was consulting engineer, who
has been four times around the world,
twice by steamer and twice by sailing
vessel On one voyage, the captain
and mates having all died of fever, he
took charge Of the vessel and brought
her safely from the Indian Ocean to
Southampton. He has been three
times ship wrecked, once escaping with
only seven others, and floating for days
in an open boat with only key Of
water. He is familiar with every coun-
| try on the globe and is now making his
50 trip across the Atlantic, SO his
"reminiscences and descriptions are
very entertaining and instructive.
The trouble between France and
Dahomey is attracting attention now
to the latter country, and he lived
there at one time for fifteen months;
he has since published a book on It,
entitled "Dahomey as it, is" He was
made king Of one Of the provinces by
the King of Dahomey, and holds con
cession Of 40 miles square, and it is
interesting to know that he is the only
Englishman holding slaves by permis-
sion Of Parliament. He has about 400
Of them, and occupies this unique posi-
ton forthe following reason: When
prisoners of war are brought in he is
allowed by the Dahomean King to
claim some, and as long as they are
in his possession they are saved from
decapitation, otherwise they are put
| to death.
We had on board also the manager
Of the Indian Exhibit Of the Worlds
Fair, gentleman thoroughly CONVEX
SAINT with life in India, and who will
shortly return to America with the
specimens now being shipped from
that country.
i We we're also unusually lucky in
having two or three good vocalists and
elocutionists, as veil as pianists, on
board, SO that our evenings passed
very pleasantly with impromptu con
certs, while on our last night We
gave more pretentious one, preceded
by a comic operetta, the resultof local
i talent.