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| Sunday Oct 3 This was just such another day as last Sunday, and in the afternoon it poured with rain. Monday October 4 The ship almost becalmed again every one seemed dissatisfied. In the evening I had gone to bed thoroughly disgusted with the day, when I was woke up by a shout It proceeded from several of the passengers, shouting at the watch as they came up. This woke up the Captain and he came out and said he would rope's end any man who would make the noise again - Thus ended the night watchers. Tuesday Oct 5 The Captain called the whole of the passengers together this morning, and asked them why they wanted the Committee to be dissolved. The reason argued was chiefly that it ought to be a general thing throughout the ship - and that the second Cabin were being governed while the intermediate did just as they liked. I had resigned being a committee man some weeks back being thoroughly disgusted with the manner in which the Chairman and some of the Committee were acting towards the passengers so I resigned with four others. Three more resigned on Saturday last - Another Committee is to be formed. A breeze sprang up in the evening and we are going on at a glorious rate. The day has been sultry hot. Wednesday Oct 6 Although the ship is much on one side it is with much pleasure that we have the breeze - we have not been doing more than 5 miles a day. Thursday Oct 7 We have done nearly 200 miles in between 12 yesterday and 12 today and are daily expecting to reach the line. I got up this morning at about 4 o'clock and remained up until the sun rose, and superb indeed was the sight: - First a streak of light came across the horizon then by degrees it illuminated the heavens and all the most distant clouds were tinged with gold. Then as it rose higher , the lower clouds took the tinge, and the former clouds took their original hue. At last last the sun rose and threw its light on the waters. It was indeed a superb sight. While in a writing mood, I now say that no lady ought to come out in the 2nd Cabin or intermediate without some protection � and no one who is not willing to soil his hands ought to come - for we all have to work - and hard too - and no one is to attend upon us - but I manage to be very happy as long as I have something to do. Ladies if they come should come in the Chief Cabin. No one that has not been on the voyage can tell how we live. I (and I don't call myself dainty) cannot touch the pork and beef - I do not know what it tastes like. Then the pea soup - that I cannot eat - I never could. So on Mondays - Wednesdays and Fridays I live on boiled rice - we have plenty of rice but we have to boil it ourselves. The rest of the week we have preserved meat, preserved potatoes (very good) and a plum pudding. I generally make a pretty good dinner on these days although we only have a taste of preserved meat. Friday Oct 8 It was very strange that though we are so near the line that we should feel the cold in the night. I think, it is warm in the day but not as hot as it has been. ( a week ago it was 120� in the sun). The breeze we have now the Captain says he thinks will take us to the Cape. We overtook and past a French ship today - in fact we catch every vessel we see and pass them. This ship the "Prince Alfred" - who by the by has a new figurehead - is as fine a sailing vessel as has left London. �Neptune� is expected on deck this evening - he sent a letter to us to say he always shaves the passengers who will not pay the fine of 1/- before he allows them to cross the line. - At about 8 o'clock - The Chief Mate asked through his speaking trumpet who was there. The answer was that it was Neptune - and that he would pay the good ship "Prince Alfred" a visit next morning at nine o'clock. His departure was announced by a tar barrel being set on fire and thrown into the sea and we could see it for many miles alight. Saturday Oct 9 In consequence of it being rather squally, Neptune put off coming until Monday morning. We are going along at a good pace - and we expect to be at the line tomorrow night. I hope we shall - we are back gloriously. Sunday Oct 10 We crossed the line at about 9 o'clock it was supposed in about the longitude of about 14 - It has been hot each day - but rained in the evening. |
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