254 COLLATION ABOARD THE IOWA. 



some cLagrin that tbo}^ bad not formed part of our 

 expedition. 



On the following day and night a collation was 

 spread aboard the Iowa, and to it flocked all the 

 wit and beauty of the neighborhood. After they 

 had satisfied their appetites they resorted to our ship. 

 Music was in demand, and the quarter-deck was 

 made a stance on which New Holland's damsels and 

 Yankee whaling oificers were vieing in displaying 

 their individual grace and activity as disciples of 

 Terpsichore. The ladies looked very well, and talked 

 equally so, with the exception of a remark one let 

 slip ; but then some allowance must be made, as she 

 did not know that any one was listening. Indeed, I 

 hardly know whether I am justified in betraying the 

 failings of the fair sex. However, I was never cele- 

 brated either for wisdom or prudence, and I shall 

 not in this case exercise a virtue to which I have no 

 claim ; so here it is, and if any attach blame to the 

 lady for it, I can only answer him or her wdth the 

 motto of the knights of the garter, '■^ Honi soit qui 

 mal y pense," or "Evil be to him who evil thinks." 

 But here is a long dissertation without the conver- 

 sation, which if any lad}^ reads, I know that her 

 patience will be exhausted, so I needs must proceed 

 with my disclosure. Two ladies who had just sat 

 down to rest themselves after the dance, engaged 

 in conversation, and, in the course of it, one stated 

 that she felt sea-sick. "I feel a little qualmish, 

 too," returned the other, "and I have heard* that 

 brandy was good for it. I wish that I had brought a 

 bottle in my pocket. Indeed, I intended to, but 

 forgot it." Eemark is needless, and superfluous. 



