Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1902-11-27
CHAPTER ".

OVERHEARD.
The shores of California rapidly
faded and sank into the waters of the
bay, as the good ship City of Rio de
Janeiro plowed her way through the
Golden Gate and out into the broad
Pacific.
Langston was somewhat pensive as
we stood together by the rail, talking
little, but understanding, as if by
occult communication each other S
thoughts. A slouch hat was drawn
over his face His hands were deep
in the pockets of his greatcoat. His
eyes were bent on the receding high
lands on which the noon day sun was
playing in its solitary grandeur, max
ing picture for an artists pencil. ]
thought, rs | looked at Langston, that
he was, indeed, handsome fellow,
His large frame-he was fully as tai,
as | and perhaps more powerfully built
showed TO advantage, outlined
against the water OF the ocean, and ]
knew he would be n formidable an
tagonist in any kind of melee that
we might happen to get into.
Now and then he would turn and
look at Ralston, and he would seeming,
ly study him for moment. Like me,
he felt sincere pity for him. The
poor fellow stood with glass in hand
looking at that portion of the coast
line behind which lay the city of Oak
land. His face was very pale. He
was not very robust man. His
studous and sedcntary life had moi
developed his frame. He was a severe
contrast to the giaut Langston. II
Langston and | were gloomy, wha,
must have been the emotions of pooi
Ralstoa? Behind him he was leaving
a weeping father, delirious mother
before him lay the dangers of which
none of us knew much. And his
sisters fate, always uncertain, and
awfully sure in case we were delayed,
preyed upon his mind.
1t could not be wondered at that we
were not very gay party during our
first day on board When the shores
of our State had sunk below the
horizon, we strolled listlessy about,
wishing it was the Inst instead OF tie
first day OF the voyage.
The next day we did not do any
strolling. | suppose was the sick est
man on the Pacific Ocean. Perhaps
l might except Langston, who de-
clared that he died three times during
the day and uight, and was lurched
back into life by the roll of the yes
sci. If | could have followed my in
clination l would have died and ended
my misery. We rolled, we moaned,
we made the life of the ships doctor
miserable. And what made it moro
provoking was the fact that Ralston,
who of the three ought to succumb to
illness more readily than we, was
scarcely sick at all
Sometimes Ralston would take to
his bed to ward off the symptoms OF
coming trouble, but most of the time
lie was on deck. He did not dare
come nearus. He would have been an
invalid from sheer disgust.
We received very good care from
the doctor aud the steward. Both
were attentive to our wants in their
respective lines. But we wanted
nothing from the steward. He gave
us broth; but we were too sick even
for that.
The doctor encouraged us, or tried
to. by saying that in a few days we
would feel like new men.
"'Few days." groaned Langston.
''You don't know what you are talking
about, man. l shall be dead in few
hours"
ooh, no, you won't! Far from it"
laughed the doctor.
Gas for me-" ] groaned, "T feel
the life oozing out of me! Every
,urch of the boat brings me nearer
death"
Nearer China, you mean, replied
the doctor. ''We are making good
time"
"'Nearer China is true enough"
mumbled Langston. 'It is only
eight thousand miles, if you travel
straight down"
The doctor laughed
II will leave you now," he said.
''You are getting unruly, and there
lore convalescent.
Unlikely as it seemed to us, on the
iourth day out we were on deck, en-
oying the cool breezes. Ralston was
glad to see us. He had kept to him
self and had made no acquaintances
among the passengers. The time had
hung heavy on his hands. 1t had
given him too much time for morbid
musing.
With Langston's recovery from sea-
sickness, his spirits came back to him.
By his influence Ralston in measure
lost his depression, and we began to
enjoy the trip.
There is not much to be said about
this portion of our journey. We read
and talked over every phase of our en-
terprise. We made the acquaintance
of several people. Some were mer.
chants, some were diplomats, and one
was missionary on the way to India.