OUTWARD BOUND. 



accident happened. The steering is all done by machinery, 

 worked by steam, from the bridge, where the officer in 

 command is stationed, with the pilot when required. The 

 order was given " Starboard," and the quartermaster 

 moved the lever rather quickly, which made the piston of 

 the steering engine work faster than usual, and, putting an 

 extra stress on the chains which move the tiller, sheared 

 two rivets, and so broke the connection. 



We have had torrents of rain. There have been severe 

 floods in the Garonne — along its whole length — during the 

 last week, and damage to the amount of millions of francs 

 has been done. Now, the evening is superb, and the bay 

 pretty calm. Land has been out of sight all day. The 

 clouds where they occur, which is but scantily, cast a fine 

 purple shadow on the deep, deep blue, which reaches all 

 round the whole circle of the horizon. 



We shipped some Spaniards, Gascons, and a few French, 

 all third-class passengers, at Bordeaux. 



I have forgotten to mention that we have the incan- 

 descent electric light in the saloon and the deck cabins. 

 This is a great luxury, and the Cotopaxi is the only one 

 of the Pacific Steam Navigation Company's ships where 

 it is in use. 



June II. — Rounded Cape Finisterre about 6 a.m., 

 and entered the Bay of Carril at 7.30. This bay is very 

 picturesque, and much indented with villages scattered 

 along its shores. Carril is fifteen miles up, the bay extend- 

 ing some distance further ; and as a background, range 

 upon range of mountains, rugged and bare, rise from well- 

 wooded plains and undulating hills. In the bay are a 

 great many rocks and small rocky islands, while numerous 

 pretty little boats, with triangular shoulder-of-mutton sails, 

 are cruising about. We only stayed at Carril about a 



