Narrative of Bahama Expedition. 185 



the sweep of the main-gaff between us and the starry heavens, 

 until we were lulled to sleep by the swini^ing of the schooner 

 as she •' rocked in the cradle of the deep." The writer has 

 been to sea in various craft, but believes that on a sailing ves- 

 sel alone can the real delights of sea-life be found. What 

 does a passenger on a modern Atlantic liner know of the 

 poetry of the world of \vaters. or of the spirit and moods of 

 the wind and sky and ocean? 



The morning of July 4th, found us at sea, with no land in 

 sight. As good patriots we decided that the dav must be 

 appropriately celebrated. At breakfast the ladies had a sur- 

 prise in the shape of pretty souvenir cards with designs in 

 water-colprs, and origincd verses. Each wore the natic>nal 

 colors, secured by cutting up an old flag, and the steward was 

 appropriately decorated with a red, white and blue cap. 

 Coming on deck we found "old glory" at the mast-head, and 

 under it the old gold pennant of the State University of Iowa. 

 Every gun on the vessel was brought up and the flag and 

 pennant saluted with a volley each. Cheering was indulged 

 in •• ad libitvuu," and the sweet familiar strains of "America," 

 "Star Spangled Banner," "Ihe Red, White and Blue," etc.. 

 brought the tears to many e}es. It may well be doubted 

 whether a profounder love for country was felt by any Ameri- 

 can citizens that day than stirred the hearts of the members 

 of the •• Bahama Expedition." At dinner we were regaled 

 with the chief remaining luxury on board, i. e., a meat pie 

 with canned turkey as its main ingredient. 



At noon a calm set in, and we experienced some of the 

 most intense heat met with during our voyage. It only lasted 

 about two hours, however, after which a light breeze sprung 

 up, w hich proved a head-wind, and of course less welcome on 

 that account. 



That night a sudden squall struck the schooner after we 

 were all asleep on the cabin top. The wind did not seem 

 particularly violent, but it suddenly ceased altogether, and the 

 schooner rolled more outrageoush- than at anv other time 

 during the voyage. The heavy main-boom "slatted" so 



