8 THK RED SEA. 



belonging to the P. and O. line, and we soon found 

 ourselves floating down the Gulf of Suez, passing on 

 our right the Ataka mountain, clothed in the soft 

 light of a rising sun. By the following day we had 

 entered the Red Sea, and in the afternoon sighted 

 the " Two Brothers," small rocky islands. The heat 

 now increased perceptibly, and, as usual at starting^ 

 time hung heavily upon us, but the frigid exterior 

 of my fellow passengers soon thawed, one after the 

 other trying to make himself agreeable, which gener- 

 ally ends in kindly companionship for the rest of the 

 voyage. 



A Dutch courtship between a young naval officer 

 and the daughter of an Admiral on their way 

 to Batavia created much merriment amongst even 

 the most sober of us, being little accustomed in our 

 colder climate to the exhibition of affection and of love 

 tokens under the public eye, still we thought it a 

 charming way of enjoying the long hours at sea, and 

 should have had no objection to being similarly en- 

 gaged. One fine evening, however, their amusement 

 very nearly came to an untimely termination. Stand- 

 ing on the stage of the gangway-ladder, the young- 

 couple were leaning against its outer railing, when 

 suddenly the lady, intently listening to the sweet voice 

 of her devoted swain, slipped with both her feet into- 



