People's Pilot, Volume 3, Number 6, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 July 1893 — FROM THE BBINY DEEP. [ARTICLE]

FROM THE BBINY DEEP.

An InferCftthur Letter FrOffi S. E. Spttrlihjr, Written On the OeeMfl. I Cftf nt foffite, 1 July I.i«J. Promptly at 5 p. m.,* the great, black steamer slowly arid silently Swung out ifitO North Hfer to bid adieu to the busy marts of man and to take its course to the watery waste beyond. All decks were crowded and were gay and festive with waving hat and kerchief, while wild huzzas responded and re-echoed from deck to shore. It was near dusk as we left Sandy Hook light house and committed ourselves to the fate that Neptune had in store for us. The lights from Jersey City, N. J., and Brooklyn danced over the waves like merry Willows-of-the-Wisp. The ocean was of a glassy smoothness and beautiful evening it is to sit on deck and watch the moon trail her path over the water before you. About 11 p. m., I began a search for my cabin. This comiilodious compartment consists of a room about 10 feet square and contains four beds and your light baggage; If you are as fortunate as I was to secure a berth in the rear end of the ship almost over the screw you will be able to get the full jar and roll of the vessel to disturb the quiet of ybur dreams. Besides two friends, a Scotchman frort. the home of Bobby Burns is in my cabin; July 2— This, was the first day out. Curiosity brought all on board at an early hour. The familiar sight of land met no vision. For the first time we floated oil in silence like “painted ship upon a painted ocean.” Biit a sudden rush to the starboard! A sail! No, a Hats off; a greeting; and the ponderous craft plunged by. A brisk walk on spar deck and breakfast in order. This was ray first introduction to my bill of fare, which was not calculated in the least to arouse much sympathy for the inward man. The day was passed quietly in making- new acquaintances and watching amusing incidents. It is remarkably easy to get acquainted on board. Supposing you desired an introduction to a pretty damsel across the boat. You should proceed thus* start light and cautiously toward her, getting the motion of the boat. When within a safe distance let the roll of the ship do the rest. You disengage yourself quickly, give an embarrassed apology: she blushes and you are her friend for the voyage. The second day was uneventful. Only an occasional sail. Now and then a school of porpoises playing in the distance, The sea was as smooth as the river Iroquois. We are 615 miles out. July 3 — l arose on this day with a strong indifference to bills of fare, friends and all the mysteries of ocean- around me. I was preparing to celebrate the 4th. The water is still smooth. In the distance a whale puffs his spray upward while his hugh body lies on the surface. Walked up and down the vessel eight laps in 13 minutes just one mile. Life on the boat is typical of the three great groups of society. The first cabin, representing the aristocracy, the second the great middle class, while steerage is fairly representative of the lower or careless classes.

July 4 —For the first time I spent the glorious fourth under the English flag. The stars and stripes were seen in profusion. The bulk of the passengers are Scotch and Irish. In the evening we started to celebarte, but ended in a Scotch and Irish demonstration. By this time my former appetite had returned and justice was able to be done in the regions below. A ramble on aft and spar deck present many interesting incidents. When you discover one with his head buried in his hands in silent meditation it recalls to you a bit of experience which is not so pleasant as could be wished. It is often supposed that life is not seen to any extent on the water. On this day we were on the banks of Newfoundland and saw many more than a hundred fishing smack or sails in quest of cod. The water was alive with porpoises, whale, gulls and Mother Cary’s chickens. Watched fair Luna sink into the arms of Neptune and retired myself to peaceless slumbers. July 5-6— We had a warm, beautiful day. Sea rolling lightly, which .imparted to the ship a pleasing roll. Only one sail to-day! A few whale. On such quiet days games are in vogue. Quoits are

the principal amusements, Cards are the nett in standing, while a few of the yontitr people Who »re seeking t<3 figure in strtne little romance arc grouped to one side in conversation and at Might may be seen wrapped snugly in a steamer blanket. Met an Englishman thia dfiy Who is a crank on England arid art ftiid made me awfully “tired.” A gi'eht many people to-day who needed sympathy. A brisk wind is making old Neptune’s -horses begin to kick, as the sailors put it, and the boat has a very perceptible plunge. When one raises his foot and places it down he is not, certain that the boat will be where he expected it to be. All persons are the same in movement—the drunk and the undrunk. A person feels absolutely safe in spite of the lashing of the waves. Sailed 368 miles the sixth, and consumed 300 tons of coal. Total miles traveled 1666. S. E. Sparling.