12 NEAREST THE POLE 



of beef in the rigging, two or three sheep among the 

 coal bags aft, and a tank and several casks of water on 

 deck, besides the full tanks below. 



Once under way, I hope to make no stops this side of 

 Cape York. It is already late in the season and 

 every day now is precious. 



Percy, the steward, has purchased two small porkers, 

 "Dennis" and "Mike," which are running contentedly 

 about the deck, and if they escape the dogs, which is 

 very doubtful, they may furnish us roast pork for 

 our Christmas dinner. 



Outside the harbour a little swell caused by the 

 easterly breeze taking the ship broadside on, sets her 

 rolling a bit until she straightens out on her course to 

 pass St. Paul's light. 



The next thing in order was the stowing of the 

 miscellaneous packages which during the past days 

 have been put in the various rooms, particularly my 

 room, to prevent their getting mixed up with the pro- 

 visions in the hold. This was readily accomplished by 

 supper time, at least to the extent of permitting a 

 passage through the room and allowing access to the 

 bunk, the table, and a camp chair. 



Immediately after supper we ran into dense fog and are 

 now ploughing our way through it across Cabot Strait, 

 the southern gateway of the Gulf, blowing our whistle 

 as if we were in Long Island Sound, for we are crossing 

 the track of the inward- and outward-bound traffic. 



Thursday, July 2'jth. — Heavy thunderstorms last 

 night with electrical accompaniments as vivid as 

 those of Gulf storms on the southern voyages. 



