where I can
connect with the southern-going coastal steamer. The Prophet has
encouraged me with the observation that "nearly all the female ladies
what comes aboard her do be wonderful sick," but I am not to be
deterred. So:

"Now, Brothers, for the icebergs of frozen Labrador,
Floating spectral in the moonshine along the low, black shore.
Where in the mist the rock is hiding, and the sharp reef lurks below;
And the white squall smites in summer, and the autumn tempests blow."

This is a mere scrap of a greeting, for the day of departure is so
near that I feel I want to spend every minute with the kiddies. I
count on your forbearance, and your knowledge that though my pen is
quiet, my heart still holds you without rival.

_On board the Northern Light
July 16_

Is to-day as lovely in your part of the world as it is in mine, and do
you greet it with a background of as exciting a night as the one that
has just passed over us? I wonder. I came across some old forms of
bills of lading sent out to this country from England. They always
closed with this most appropriate expression, "And so God send the
good ship to her desired port in safety." It has fallen into disuse
long ago, but about break of early day the idea took a very compelling
shape in my mind. We put out from Bonne Esperance just as night was
falling, and there was no moon to aid us. The doctor had decided on
the outside run, and brief as is my acquaintance with the "lonely
Labrador," I knew what that meant. I therefore betook myself betimes
to bed as the best spot for an unseasoned mariner. Twelve o'clock
found us barely holding our own against a furious head wind and
sea--"An awful night for a sinner," as our cheery Prophet remarked as
he lurched past my cabin door. Icebergs were dotted about. Great
combers were pouring over our bow and the floods came sweeping down
the decks sounding like the roar of a thousand cataracts.

The only way one could keep from being hurled out of one's berth was
to cling like a leech to a rope fastened to a ring in the wall, for
the little ship was bouncing back and forth so fast and so far that it
was impossible to compare it with the motion of any other craft. Day
began to dawn about 3 A.M. By the dim light I could make out
mighty mountains of green foaming water. At each roll of the steamer
we seemed to be at the bottom of a huge emerald pit. Suddenly some one
yelled, "There she goes!" and that