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Around the ship a number of cape hens and cape pigeons are flying. When it is a trifle calmer I shall try to catch some with a hook and line, and then having fastened my name to them let them loose for some one else to catch.
Our dog Jack has had his hair cut off, which has considerably altered his appearance. We are very good friends, and it is amusement to make him run about. We have quite a menagerie of cats, of which old Jerry, quite an old patriarch, is the father and ruler. At dinner time, no sooner does the bell ring than away they come and take their places as regularly as possible.
During the gale we lost the flying jib, which was blown completely to ribbons. I have now learned the names of all the sails, and in fact am gradually growing into the sailor. When the ship is almost on her beam ends I can walk the poop without any difficulty. It is very amusing at meals to see the contrivances for preventing accidents, otherwise we should all get in a pretty state. Even as it is we have to fasten the things to the table, or hold them in our hands, to keep them upright. I must now leave off as it is dark, and shall walk the deck for a half hour to get a good appetite for tea. This shaking about has pulled my fat down considerably, and I must try to get it again.
Monday, May 13th
We are still a week's sail from the Cape, and creeping along very slowly indeed, in fact we hardly seem to be moving at all, for the wind is so very light. It is enough to make one feel rather gloomy and dull to be tossing about so long. The sea for several days has been very heavy, and has poured over the decks, and into the cabin without mercy. Having suffered so much from former experience I took precaution enough to avoid all disasters, for all in my room is quite tight and safe, and I have not had a drop of water in to trouble me. You may depend upon it, I am getting nearly used to my cabin after nine weeks residence in it. In fact I began in a measure to feel myself at home, such as it is. Yet it is dreary, monotonous work, no change, the same faces over again, and nobody that one can speak a sensible word to. The captain would go into fits if I were to speak to the sailors, for all hands in the cabin seem to regard them as a set of inferior beings.
Our menagerie had an increase of a family of three kittens yesterday,