FROM NASSAU TO FERN-AKDINA. 351 



air for an atmosphere that vitalizes the blood, stimulates the 

 nerves, gives birth to noble purposes, and inspires with a laudable 

 ambition! 



Afterwards, when the weekly mail arrived, with letters and news- 

 papers from home, and we learned how badly both March and 

 April had conducted themselves at the north in our absence, we 

 immediately rushed out from beneath the grateful shade of tropi- 

 cal trees, and, with heads bowed but well protected, we made 

 to the hot sun, and to the beautiful lands that panted in its fierce 

 and scorching rays, our most humble and sincere apologies. 



At the conclusion of our second visit to the Bahamas, we 

 had a most delightful voyage in the Western Texas, of the C. H. 

 Mallory & Co.'s line, from Kassau to Fernandina. We wore 

 favored with clear skies, while beneath and around us the At- 

 lantic was at rest. All the storm gods of the sea were indulg- 

 ing in deep, profound, voluptuous sleep. Our ship rivaled the 

 ducks upon sheltered lakes in the quiet grace with which it 

 passed over the smooth waters. We spent much of the time 

 during the day dreamily watching the sky, the birds, the mur- 

 muring waves, the fish, the sea weed, and passing vessels. The 

 glory of the stars and of the Soutliern Cross added brilliancy 

 and gladness to the night. 



•'New stars all night above the brim 

 Of waters lightened into view; 

 They climb'd as quiekly, for the rim 

 Changed every moment as we flew. " 



There are often among the passengers on shipboard "late 

 birds," sometimes, upon the land, called "larks," who linger 

 behind after the staid, prudent, and conservative have retired, 

 and, with songs and stories, and fragrant Ilavanas, endeavor to 

 get more than the average amount of enjoyment out of hours 

 generally devoted to slcej:). But the passengers who sailed with 



