UN BOARD BARK "VICTORIA" 79 



legends that will last and amuse us for quite a while to 

 coine. Among our musicians there is a Tliuringian paper- 

 hanger, who is a veritable master of the Jews'- harp; in 

 this way we enjoy vocal and instrumental concerts and 

 timely after-dinner speeches, which are by no means to 

 be undervalued. 



Our steerage has now a more respectable appearance, 

 everything being definitely placed, boxes fastened and 

 nailed together, so as not to disturb our rest by day or 

 night. The upper berths are so close to the ceiling that 

 1 can touch it when lying fiat on my back, yet the lower 

 berths do not have as much room. Yesterday we re- 

 ceived ship's fare for the first time: "White peas with 

 potatoes and pork. It was excellent; I ate two portions 

 of it, my own and that of a sea-sick companion, while my 

 thoughts drifted all the time to you, my dear father, who 

 delight in such a plain, healthful meal. Now if the com- 

 panionship continues in this harmonious and pleasing 

 maimer, if the rations of our daily supply do not grow 

 smaller, I, for my part, shall be well satisfied, knowing 

 that the quality of our food may undergo changes such 

 as outward conditions force upon us, and which we have 

 to accept be they to our special liking or not. 



The red cap which Marie crocheted as a farewell gift 

 ornaments the head of a Schleswig-Holstein exile, the 

 well-known lawyer, Meyer, from Cappeln, who is like- 

 wise bound for San Francisco and whose headgear took 

 (light during yesterday's storm. I loaned him my cap 

 temporarily. Today it is raining again and the sky is 

 covered with grayish clouds. There is just a breath of air, 

 which seems to come from the East; should it grow 

 stronger by noon there may be a possibility of an early 

 departure. As matters look now we cannot get away 

 before the afternoon tide. AYe find patience to be the 

 ruling virtue at ixresent. 



3 p. m., off Cuxhaven. 

 About a quarter to eleven this morning we started to 

 weigh anchor and, making use of a fresh northern breeze, 



