352 ISLES OF SUMMER. 
ustoand from the Isles of Summer were so far homogeneous, 
that none had occasion to complain that the hilarity and good 
fellowship of afew were carried so far into the night as to en- 
croach upon hours generally devoted to sleep. 
Sailing i in the path of an ocean current which furnished our 
ship with a part of its motive power, and aided by a wind that, 
while it warmed, wafted us on our way, we were not long in 
reaching the Florida coast. The trip was also materially short- 
ened because health and happiness winged the flying hours. 
About four weeks after our last arrival in Florida, we proceeded 
by rail from Jacksonville to Fernandina, and intercepted the 
steamship City of Austin, Capt. Stevens, of the C. H. Mallory 
& Co.’s New York and Nassau line, which, on its way to New 
York, had stopped there for passengers and freight. We found 
it a good ship, well officered, manned and equipped, though the 
closing of the Royal Victoria Hotel caused it to be crowded with 
passengers, but as during the voyage the weather was pleasant, 
little inconvenience was experienced from that cause, the cases of 
sea sickness being very few in number and mildintype. The pas- 
sengers spent the days upon deck, and many of the evenings also, 
notwithstanding the heavy dews. The profound mystery which 
seems ever to brood over the ocean and penetrate its profound 
depths, is greatly intensified at night. We were much impressed 
with it as our gallant ship tore and leaped into the dark, leaving 
behind a brilliant but troubled path of foam and fire. Around 
it the phosphorescent light gleamed in the waves and sparkled 
iu the spray.. A halo of white and luminous foam girdled the 
ship, which, with its long and brilliant train, made it seem, 
prehaps, to the marine monsters miles below under its keel, like 
a strange comet of the sea. 
While sitting in the evening upon-one of the camp stools with 
which the deck 6f the Austin was supplied, Captain Stevens oc- 
