A Cruise oil the S.Y. " J^ectis. 



M3 



Judging from the number of empty seats, mine was not the only 

 appetite that had gone astray. However, on going on deck 

 the distant view of the Norwegian coast Une put a Httle courage 

 into our hearts, as we knew that we should soon be in smooth 

 water. Birds now began to be more numerous and (Guillemots, 

 Razor-bills, Puffins, and Cormorants, were to be seen on both 

 sides of the yacht. Many of the passengers liad never seen 

 these birds before and were much interested. As we approached 

 the land we were again met by Black-headed (lulls, and they 

 accompanied us to Bergen. As we drew in behind the islands, 

 the water became quite smooth and our ship once more assumed 

 an even keel, a great relief to those of us who had been suffer- 

 ing from iiia]-de-iiiar. As we wound our way in between the 

 numerous islands, we every now and then passed so close, that 

 we could have literally thrown a biscuit on shore. The sea-fowl 

 were extraordinarily tame, and one Razor-bill, that perched 

 upon one of our boat davits, enjoyed quite a cruise with us. It 

 was much admired by the passengers most of whom, now we 

 were in smooth water, had issued from their cabins. Some of 

 them thought it was a duck, whilst others judging perhaps from 

 the size of its bill put it down to be a Hawk or bird of prey. It 

 is astonishing what ignorance of bird life there is amongst our 

 town dwellers. For three or four hours we meandered slowly 

 through the fjords, until on rounding a point Bergen, our first 

 port of call lay before us. And very pretty it looked in the sun- 

 light. After anchoring the steam launch was lowered, and we 

 were very soon taken on shore. We found Bergen to be a 

 charming old town. Quite the most interesting thing we saw 

 in Norway was the fish market here. This consisted of a long 

 series of wooden troughs, through which a stream of salt water 

 flowed. In these the fish were kept alive. Wlien the Norwegian 

 housewife goes shopping, she selects her fish as it is swimming 

 around in the trough. There were many different kinds, a~ 

 mongst which I noticed cod. pollack, and whiting. One variety, 

 which I understand is taken in the fjords at a great depth, had 

 their eyeballs protruding, and looked rather horrid. They were 

 swimming about with the others, and apparently were not suf- 

 fering in any way, although I take it that they must have been 

 quite blind. Keeping fish under these conditions ensures their 



