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it is a comfort that the greater part of the journey is over, and the best of it is that it is the worst part, for we can now reckon on fair winds nearly all the rest of the way.
Since I made my last entry we have had an accident of some sort nearly every day. The topsail yard sprung again and had to come down and up for the fourth time. What could be expected when the Sabbath was broken to repair it in the first place. It was the beginning of our misfortunes.
Our provisions and water hold out very well; and in fact it appears we shall have all the best last. For a fortnight past we have been regularly feasting. There are six fowls left still, I am so tired of fowls that I would always prefer a piece of salt beef; which let me say is the best I ever tasted. The potatoes are getting rather "seedy" but that is no matter for next week we shall have plenty of yams that are far better.
There has been a comet in sight every morning for some time. This morning I go up at half past five to go on deck and inspect it. I suppose you can see it in England. It is gradually increasing in size and looks much like the one in 1858.
I find the early rising was so beneficial that I mean to turn out early every morning to acquire the habit of doing so when I reach China. I had a cup of tea, etc. at six o'clock, which I think will also be a good idea. All hands in the cabin have coffee at six, but they make it so strong and disagreeable to my fancy that I cannot take it; so I have hitherto gone without, and had tea for breakfast at half past eight.
I shall know a thing or two about navigation before I am done. Every day I keep finding out something fresh.
The captain has used some of the men rather cruelly in my estimation, In fact all his actions partake of such a brutal character that I am thoroughly disgusted with him. I cannot endure it sometimes, and manage to tell him of it pretty plainly in an indirect way, so as to lead him to pass sentence on himself. Sometimes after I have put matters before him he confesses he is the worst man he ever met with, and that no man could be worse than he is; he also has confessed to me that his conscience torments him sometimes. But it is useless to argue with an ignorant headstrong man, so I can do little in the way of convincing him. I have