THE GULF STEEAM. 27 



With the return of prosperity under the banner of peace, im- 

 proved and more safe communication by rail will follow as a 

 necessary consequence. 



After spending a few days in Florida (rendered necessary by 

 the fact that no opportunity existed for sooner continuing our 

 journey) we at last were al)le to cross over to Nassau on the side 

 wheel steamer Secret. The passage occupied fifty-two hours. 

 She was advertised to make the run in thirty-six hours, but the 

 time Avas purposely understated in order to make the trip appear 

 more attractive to the seekers of health and pleasure. The Secret 

 A\-as about fifteen years old, English built, sheathed outside with 

 iron and was constructed somewhat after the model of a Connec- 

 ticut river shad, being very long and very narrow. According to 

 a Jacksonville newspaper, her length was 231 feet, and her breadth 

 26 feet. She v/as built for a blockade runner, and was consid- 

 ered a good sea boat. We found her state rooms and berths too 

 small for comfort, and the ajoproaches to the dining saloon long, 

 narrow, unpleasant and unsavory. But we are disj^osed to apply 

 the bridge rule to steamboats, and to speak well of those which 

 carry us safely. 



Before leaving home we doated on the Gulf Stream. It was 

 our ideal salt water, and bore the same relative position to the 

 rest of the ocean world tliat the Garden of Eden did to all the 

 islands and continents outside. When the fifty sejjaratc and 

 distinct persons on as many different occasions asked us if v/e were 

 not afraid to take an ocean voyage in winter, and more especially 

 Avhen every newspaper Avas and had for some time l)een filled 

 with accounts of terrific storms, accom})anicd Ijy winds before 

 Avhicli the strongest shijxs were like so many egg shells, tlie ready 

 reply which then so satisfied us seemed to be equally satisfactory 

 to them; " Oh, no; Ave do not fear or dread it at all, for in thirty 

 hours from Xcav York we will be in the Gulf Stream, Avhere the 



