HE WESTERN TEXAS. $31 
of a more southerly sun. Although out of sight of land, we 
skirted sufficiently near the Atlantic’s western shore to have the 
constant company of large white gulls, who, to some extent, de- 
pended upon our ship for their supplies. The occasional appear- 
ance of steamers and vessels with sails spread to the wind, clearly 
indicated that we were traversing one of the great frequented 
but trackless paths of the sea. We passed the entrance to 
Charleston harbor, and if we could only have prolonged the day- 
light for a few hours, we would have reached Port Royal, our 
first stopping place, the third night after leaving New York. A 
gentleman with a sea-glass reported that he saw trees upon the 
Carolina shore, but we suspected he was somewhat aided by his 
imagination. 
The Western Texas is one of a line of steamers which runs 
between New York and Nassau, touching at one or more of our 
southern ports going and returning. They are owned by C. H. 
Mallory & Co., and carry the mail under a long contract with 
the Bahama government, which pays the company a handsome 
subsidy for the service. From the position and nearness of the - 
Bahamas to our coast, intimate and close commercial intercourse 
between them and the United States is inevitable. 
' The Texas is a new boat, about three years old, and has supe- 
rior passenger accommodations. Its main saloon, ‘‘social hall” 
and staterooms, are roomy, very handsomely finished and fur- 
nished, and uncommonly pleasant. Neatness, cleanliness, order 
and efficiency are marked characteristics, and comfort and con- 
fidence are the result. The table, during our voyage, was sup- 
plied with an abundance of well-cooked food, including all the 
substantials and many of the delicacies that are to be met with 
in a good hotel. She registers 1250 tons, and is one of the 
largest of the line; the freight and passenger business is not suffi- 
cient to warrant the use of larger vessels. 
