Introductory. A5 
overboard, while they delighted in the cooks ill- 
concealed grief. 
At Madeira a grey parrot joined us which was 
supposed, alas, to talk Portuguese ; so in the beginning 
we did not know whether he was speaking that 
language, or the natural language from his happy 
home in the jungle in Africa. However, the talented 
bird very quickly picked up some of the roughest 
jokes which he could find in the forecastle. 
The meals were, of course, great events. Then 
all the members came together, and as a rule the time 
went pleasantly. In spite of having a Norwegian 
ON PALMY SHORES, 
cook, the English members kept well. His cooking 
was good with the exception of his puddings, which 
were both food and ballast all in one. One of the 
