Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-06-15

probably be over six months since you wish
ed me bon voyage as our ship drifted out of
passed quickly with you, but for me they
have seemed like as many years 1t has
been so long since / have had any COM
munication with the world that am begin
ming to believe that there is no world be-
yond the confines of our ship.
Another ten days or so will bring US to
the shores of Manila, If we meet with no
accident in the meantime. and it will be a
glad day for this ships company when they
can once more set foot on dry land. No
one who has not had the experience can
realize what 1t is to be six months on a
sailing ship. One hundred and five days
out of sight of land and ffty-f1ve Of those
without even the glimpse of a passing sail
alone on the boundless Pacific
Our ships company numbers twenty
nine souls, all told. OF these, the captain
and first mate are the only ones have any
intercourse with, and naturally we are suf-
ficiently tired of each others faces. We
have become so bored with each others So
ciety that 1T affords amusement for us to
quarrel and fight. For the last month We
are seldom together for half an hour at
time without exchanging personalities and
often cuffs. These quarrels are, of course
not lasting, and are made up as quickly as
entered into.
Zone day is like another - Sundays and
holidays-they are all the same. The only
way we keep track of the days of the week
is by what we have to eat. We know Mon
day is salt beef day, Tuesday salt Goldfish
day, Wednesday salt pork day, and so
through the week. 1 come on deck in the
morning at daylight before dressing, take
look around at the sea and sky for time,
and after watching the sun rise. which is
sight in these waters beautiful beyond de-
scription, go below and take a salt bath.
After this coffee is in order, after which,
return to the deck, remaining until 7:30,
when breakfast is served. The rest of the
morning is spent walking around the deck
watching the work and gazing at the sea
and sky. At 1890 we eat dinner, after
which reading and a nap are INDUCED in.
At $50 we take supper. which is followed
by walking or sitting on deck exchanging
yarns, and, latsly, sarcasrns. Nine O'Clock
finds us in bed
THE weather furnishes the only variety
to this life. We have had storms and
Gains, hurricanes and earthquakes, tidal
waves and waterspouts, and about every
thing else on Nsptune's bill Of fare. A
storm on ocean liners Is bad enough, but on
q sailing ship, when your sails are being
torn into ribbons, and every other wave
sweeps the deck from stem to stern, when
they have to bail your cabin out with buck
cts, when You take your meals standing up
or OF, sitting down. as the case may be. when
all the crew are callsd aft and kept there
to prevent their being washed overheard,
when you can't see the ships lights in any
direction, and the captains voice sounds
dim and far away above the shrieking of
thu wind, then 1t becomes serious, and you
feel perfectly willing to exchange places
with any one, no matter who. that is on
land. The spectacle Is grand at first, but
after awhile you cease to appreciate the
grand sur and wonder that you keep afioat.
Il am a pretty good sailor, and should, if
anything went wrong, be able to bear
hand, but l admit that storms at sea are
not my favorite amusements. However, We
have gone this far without mishap, and
unless we encounter typhoon in tina China
sea guess we viii get through in SAFETY.
The captain and myself are the only ones
In the quarter of the ship where my state
room is located, so there is plenty OF room
and, as state rooms go, mine is fairly large
and airy. Our vessel is a splendid seaboat
and weathsred avery gale SO encoun cred in
good shape.
THE worst feature is the living and that
Is simply vile. and, Of course, grows worse
each day we are out. A ships main stay in
the food line liz salt horse (beeo, salt pork
bacon and bareback. Wa have a few other
things. such salt goldfish salt mackerel
salt herring and plain salt. On Sunday
some kind Of canned goods appears by way
of variety and great luxury. This kind of
fare is good in it's way for a short time,
but after months of these things, without
the sign of q vegetable or piece of fresh
meat, the fare becomes unsavory, and both
the appetite and health begin to suffer"