2So EI.DORADO 



l)n)kcii 1)\- the spouting- of a whale, the gamhols of a 

 school of porpoise, the flying fish, that would some- 

 times light upon the deck of the steamer, where they 

 would 1)e unahle to rise again, or the man-eating sharks 

 that would frequently follow in our wake for hours, 

 and at night produce a luminous streak in their rapid 

 passage through salt water. An "unfeeling" passen- 

 ger would at times find amusement in throwing a hot 

 brick wrapped in flannel to the monster, who f|uickl\- 

 swallowed it. 



As we advanced into the tropical seas many beauti- 

 ful fish were seen, but there were none so celebrated 

 for their beauty and gamy qualities as the dolphin. 

 Idis sides are yellow, inclining to green on the back, 

 his tail long forked and richly ti])])ed with mellow, and 

 his fins a brilliant 1)1 ue. With a dashing air he darts 

 to and fro. driving the timid little flying-fish out of 

 the water, and the moment the poor frightened thing 

 touches its native clement it is gone. When caught 

 upon the hook he yields exhausted, after many unavail- 

 ing struggles, and after being raised on deck, he re- 

 news in vain his struggles until with the heavy and un- 

 sparing strokes of his tail, he covers the deck with 

 his blood. Who has not heard of the dying dol]:)hin? 

 The rapidly changing hues of green and gold flash 

 and fade at intervals ; his blue fins stand out erect as 

 in swimming ; the colors seem more brilliant than ever, 

 and one can but exclaim. "How beautiful!" But at 

 last he lies lifeless; of a dull lead color, as plain and 

 unattractive as any other fish. 



One of the most uu] leasant features of an ocear 

 voAagc upon a steamer fifty years ago was the small, 

 uncomfortable quarters for the night, ccMisisting of a 



