CHAPTER X 
A STORMY VOYAGE TO NEW ZEALAND 
After all our good-byes had been said to our Fiji friends on 
the dock, we went below to inspect our quarters. The Makura was 
considerably smaller than the Niagara, having a displacement of 
13,500 tons as against the 20,000 tons of the latter. But the size 
of a vessel is no measure of her seaworthiness nor of her comfort. 
In spite of the crowded condition of my stateroom, where I had 
at least space in which to sleep, this vessel was just as good a sea 
home as one could ask, and we found nothing at all to complain 
of in the service. 
The run from Suva to Auckland, New Zealand, is a comparative- 
ly short one of only 1140 miles and took less than four days. The 
rest was a welcome interlude between the work in Fiji and that 
which was still to come in New Zealand. 
July 4th was a beautiful clear day and the temperature was 
balmy, just right for comfort. On deck we found two Americans 
strutting up and down in a very chesty manner, displaying gor- 
geous neckties in the shape of American flags. They were full of 
brag and made themselves decidedly unpopular. An Australian 
official afterwards informed me confidentially that we were wel- 
come to claim all such men, as they were wanted by no one else. 
I was mainly concerned about the dishonor they did our beautiful 
flag and it was largely on that account that our party left them 
severely alone. 
There were several American school teachers in the second cabin 
going on a vacation trip to New Zealand. They appeared to be 
a jolly crowd, enjoying the experience hugely and will doubtless 
have many extraordinary adventures to relate. American women 
are able to take care of themselves anywhere and are among the 
most independent travelers the world over. Such trips are the 
best sort of relaxation and have a rare educational value. 
The deck sports were in full blast. People on these long voyages 
give themselves whole heartedly to the various sports, particularly 
on British ships. A ‘‘sports committee’’ is elected and all sorts 
of games and tournaments arranged. 
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