22 JUNGLE PEACE 



as a result of glimpses of the concentrated cos- 

 mos in my tumblers. 



I can recall many similar diversions and dis- 

 coveries of new possibilities of life on board 

 ship, but one brings memories of especial de- 

 light. Next to the crow's nest the bow is, for 

 me, the place of greatest joy the spot where 

 each moment one's eyes reach forward into a 

 trackless, unexplored field of view; a heaving, 

 translucent No Man's Land, fraught with 

 potentialities such as sea-serpents. Long had 

 I pondered the possibility of getting nearer the 

 fascinating bit of unbroken water just ahead. 

 At last a scheme unfolded itself, but not until 

 a following trip when I had made all prepara- 

 tions did I venture to ask permission of the 

 Captain. For I knew better than to wish to 

 add anything to the responsibility of this offi- 

 cial. When he had become used to my eccentric 

 use of the deck and the bath tubs, I unfolded 

 my new plan, and thanks to my preparation, 

 met with no opposition. I had a waistcoat 

 made of stout leather straps, with a heavy 

 ring behind to which I attached a strong rope. 

 This tethered to the rail, in the extreme bow, 

 enabled me to swarm safely down until I 



