VOYAGE. 59 



and shrewdly suspect that Nature has not given me a frame 

 fitted for the tropics, at least not for such tropical weather as this. 



August 10th. Several dolphins played round the ship this 

 morning, but we caught none ; they were of a rich green 

 colour, very lively, and glanced beautifully in the sun. I must 

 now introduce you to " Old Wives," of which we caught two. 

 They are not beauties. Ours were of a dull colour, about 

 twelve or fourteen inches long, grey, with blue spots ; a horn 

 out of the back, and two large fins near the tail ; a very small 

 mouth armed with strong teeth. 



August 19th. I lie on my sofa and read ; but my readings 

 begin to be mixed with anxious longings for the free shore, for 

 to me the shore and not the sea is the " ever, ever free." 

 Perhaps these longings have been fostered by reading descrip- 

 tions of African scenery. Well, it seems strange to think that 

 (with the blessing of Providence) in about four weeks I shall 

 tread the ground of my new home, and open the field of my 

 future labours. What these labours may be is sometimes a 

 matter of serious consideration. I often wonder what the design 

 of Providence is in bringing me out here in a manner so 

 thoroughly unexpected, unpremeditated on our part, for I doubt 

 not He has some beneficent object in view, though it is yet 

 hidden from us. 



August '17th. It is perhaps rather soon to commence 

 reckoning the days till our deliverance ; but it is difficult at times 

 to avoid such foolishness. For my part oftentimes an intense 

 desire for land comes over me, it may be at mid-day or at the 

 dead of night, and then an inexpressible impatience pours down 

 on me with a resistless flood. Oh, vegetation, vegetation ! how I 

 shall luxuriate in thee when restored to thy acquaintance ! It 

 is strange that mere plants should have such a power over one 

 — but they have. 



August 2Hh. What a notable day this has been ! When I 

 came on deck many were looking eagerly on the horizon. I 

 joined my eye, and looking westward I espied a something in 

 the sky. 



" At first it seemed a little speck, 



And then it seemed a mist, 

 It neared, and neared, and took at last 



A certain shape, I wist." 



