The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1911-05-06


aous 8arnes watching the sea and
waiting for the meal bell 70 ring.
Five iheals a day board GOOD and
most Of us able TO do them Justice.
II Is wonderful what amount some
people can stow away at each meal,
and then grunlble about the poor
board.
Sunday Feb. uary 12.-The sea is
very calm. A soft breeze Is blowing,
without which the sun would be very
hot, as 1t Is almost directly ocerhead
now. A salvation Army man Is hold
ing services on deck. The band also
played several church hymns; one
was iJesus Lover of MY Soul, the
band also plays every afternoon, and
an orchestra plays during the dinner
hour Last evening was Very calm,
with full moon lighting up the ocean
At IL O'Clock heard quite an excite
ment on deck and the steamer stop
ped. A .inan, an officer just relieved
from duty had jumped overheard with
suicidal intent. They lowered a boat
jand rescued him They say this fire.
quently happens in this region. There
seems to be something fascinating
about the sea.
Twilight Is Short.
February 13.-Last night was so
lovely. 1 stayed up until IL O'Clock
enjoying the moonlight ocean and
watching the Southern cross nearing
the horizon and making notes OF it;
for it will be lost to our view after
we cross the equator. 1 noticed how
much more rapidly the stars move
here than with us at home. The sun
also appears to rise and set very
quickly; so there is scarcely any twi.
light; and often a glowing reelection
is to be seen in the east long after the
west has become dark.
February 15.-Another fine day, aii
somewhat sultry and our ship Is
ploughing along without much motion
No ship in sight since leaving Free
mantle. We seem to have the ocean
al to ourselves. We are always IN
the center of "A vast circle of deer
blue water with the horizon for o
boundary line. over which hang a lot
of speckled clouds and above these
the clear sunshine. Today we cross
the equator Last Sunday we passed
under the sun. on Monday / made
test and the shadow fell a little to
the north; from now on we must look
south for the sun instead of north
Last Sunday we were just opposite
Lima in longitude; from now on Lima
is not so far away
Reaches Ceylon.
Colombo, Ceylon, February 1S-
Reached here today; last record show
ed distance from Freemantle, 3,00C
miles have been twenty days en-
route without any sea sickness. Every
thing 80 pleasant that It has seemed
more like an excursion than sea
voyage. Our ship is anchored in a
beautiful bay hemmcd In by concrete
sea walls A barge took us ashore
and we spent the day in sightseeing
There are fine public buildings and
beautiful streets and parks here. but
no thrift Visible. The people wear
white clothes, because Of the hot cli-
mate. Some elegant hotels. but ex-
orbitant prices. Palm and cocoanut
trees surround many beautiful villas
owned by capitalists. Horses are
scarce, climate too hot for them, and
bullocks are used instead, pulling big
bulky carts and though rather slow
speed by constant prodiing, they
move right along. Customs a thous-
and years old are still in vogue here
probably best suited for this climate
and its inhabitants. Colombo is quite
interesting, owing to its peculiar peo-
Pile and ways and scenes.
Sunday February 19--We are again
on the ocean, weather conditions de-
lightful. and the sea calm and smooth
This morning at Z O'Clock the band
played several church hymns, among
them the beautiful hymn Nearer My
God TO Thee"
February 22.-This Is Washington's
birthday and must be remembered
with a few notes. Everything contin-
ues delightful. We are nearing Ara
bia. sand Is visible on our right,
Last night as | looked into the sky
was surprised to see the Dipper. 1t
was welcome object had not seen
It for two years. To the south, just
above the horizon was the Southern
Cross, standing upright; TO the north
and just above the horizon the Dip
per, 1t Was delightful scene.
Februark give are on the Red
Sea. though the horizon still bounds
our view and everything remains the
same as on the ocean, except the air
Is growing cooler as we approach
the canal.
When we awoke on the morning Of
February 2Sth. we were a third
through the canal. But no regret as
the canal is no great sight 1t is. very
narrow with walled banks In places.
and the ships move very slowly
through them. After 16 hours we ar
rived at Port Said, where we all
shook hands and bade each other
,good-by. and for the first time In my
travels, / regretted that the voyage
was ended.
A. j. Cromer.