NEW ZEALAND. 87 



their part, coming and going by simply spreading their 

 wings, their sharp eves fixed on the turbulent water 

 whipped into a diminutive storm by the revolving screw, 

 patiently waiting for their time to feed on the refuse 

 of kitchen and table, and the moment it appeared in 

 the agitated waters, with unerring aim would dash from 

 their height with the speed of an arrow, grasp and 

 greedily devour the cherished morsel. The flying fish, 

 single, in pairs, or in schools of many, when the sea is 

 quiet, frightened by the approach of the ship would dash 

 from their briny element into the air and make their 

 short nights in gentle curves, striking the water at a 

 distance of about thirty yards, rebound and make one 

 or two other flights, finally to disappear with a splash 

 from whence they came. With these things around 

 and about you and useful books to read, the longest sea 

 voyage is stripped of its monotony. From Honolulu to 

 Samoa the average temperature in the cabins on the 

 port side of the ship was 80 to 82 F. At one time my 

 thermometer registered 100 F. in the sun. The south- 

 west wind was constant. In less than four hours after 

 leaving Samoa a cold breeze set in which forced the 

 passengers to lay aside the white suits and rummage 

 their trunks^ for clothing of a more somber color and 

 heavy underwear. That evening blankets were in de- 

 mand, and next day those not used to a colder climate 

 paced the deck in fur and overcoat. This sudden 

 change in the temperature reminded us that we were 

 approaching a part of the world where the seasons are 

 the reverse of ours. 



From now on the sea became rough, which, combined 

 with a heavy wind and drizzling rain, soon cleared the 

 decks. At noon, July 26, we passed several barren 

 islands, and soon the rugged, hilly, almost treeless 

 coast of New Zealand was sighted, and at 2 o'clock we 

 reached the wharf of Auckland. The harbor of Auck- 

 land is one of the finest in the world. All the navies 

 of the world would find here ample room, not only as 



