282 A CALIFORNIA TRAMP. 



The water-butt, from which throughout the day we quenched 

 our thirst, was near the bow, and access to the contents was 

 through a small hole in the top by letting down a deep, narrow 

 cup with a string. The water was good at first, but grew 

 worse until it got as bad as it could be, when it improved ; on 

 the same principle, perhaps, that wine gets better by ocean 

 transit. To be sure the liquid was bad enough from being so 

 warm, but then we had the advantage of the cabin passengers 

 who were obliged to use ice water, which is notoriously hurtful 

 from the bacteria in it. They were also forced to use fresh 

 water to bathe in, while we had nothing but the best of salt 

 water drawn fresh from the sea, per rope and bucket. When 

 it is known what miles the wealthiest of our people will 

 travel for a chance to wash in ocean brine, our position can be 

 appreciated. Then w^e were ahead of the ship aristocracy in 

 another way, as we in the forward part were always nearer 

 home. So that, taking it all in all, we had the advantage. 



I suppose three-fifths or more of the passengers were in the 

 steerage. As there were about one thousand on board, how 

 closely we were packed can be imagined. We slept in rows, 

 and from lack of confidence in my fellows I thought wdiile 

 sleeping. Did one on either side of me shift his position the 

 least I would arouse, finding my hand on my money belt, so 

 that my senses were on the watch whether I was awake or not. 



The reader need not think that a steerage passage was a 

 synonym for poverty. There were thousands of dollars in 

 gold or drafts among the forward passengers. I believe there 

 was more money there than about the cabin. The miners, no 

 matter how well off", w^ere more at home among the uncon- 

 ventionalities of steerage life and took it of choice, and though 

 some sported knives and revolvers, I became acquainted with 

 many quiet, worthy men in the steerage. 



A noted person in the cabin was General William Walker, 

 a filibuster, who was then on his road to Central America to 



