There Are Some Cockroaches,
Indeed, But That Is The Only Drawback.
The Camperdown is fourteen
years old, and was the crack ship to India in her day.
Now she
takes cargo and poop-passengers only, and, of course, only gets
invalids and people who care more for comfort than speed.
Monday Evening, May 26th. - Here we are, working away still to reach
St. Helena. We got the tail of a terrific gale and a tremendous
sea all night in our teeth, which broke up the south-east trades
for a week. Now it is all smooth and fair, with a light breeze
again right aft; the old trade again. Yesterday a large shark paid
us a visit, with his suite of three pretty little pilot-fish,
striped like zebras, who swam just over his back. He tried on a
sailor's cap which fell overboard, tossed it away contemptuously,
snuffed at the fat pork with which a hook was baited, and would
none of it, and finally ate the fresh sheep-skin which the butcher
had in tow to clean it, previous to putting it away as a
perquisite. It is a beautiful fish in shape and very graceful in
motion.
To-day a barque from Algoa Bay came close to us, and talked with
the speaking trumpet. She was a pretty, clipper-built, sharp-
looking craft, but had made a slower run even than ourselves. I
dare say we shall have her company for a long time, as she is bound
for St. Helena and London. My poor goat died suddenly the other
day, to the general grief of the ship; also one of the tortoises.
The poor consumptive lad is wonderfully better. But all the
passengers were very sick during the rough weather, except S- and
I, who are quite old salts. Last week we saw a young whale, a
baby, about thirty feet long, and had a good view of him as he
played round the ship. We shall probably be at St. Helena on
Wednesday, but I cannot write from thence, as, if there is time, I
shall get a run on shore while the ship takes in water. But this
letter will tell you of my well-being so far, and in about six
weeks after the date of it I hope to be with you. I hope you won't
expect too much in the way of improvement in my health. I look
forward, oh, so eagerly, to be with you again, and with my brats,
big and little. God bless you all.
Yours ever,
L. D. G.
Wednesday, 28th. - Early morning, off St. Helena, James Town.
Such a lovely UNREAL view of the bold rocks and baby-house forts on
them! Ship close in. Washer-woman come on board, and all hurry.
Au revoir.
*** END OF LETTERS FROM THE CAPE by Lady Duff Gordon ***
Enter page number
Previous
Page 73 of 73
Words from 37447 to 37925
of 37925
