- 25 - 
Perhaps the most impressive experience that I have 
had. thus far was that of my first sight of tropical fishes 
in the market place this noon. There were perhaps 100 
fishes laid out in the sun on the sidewalk. There were 
scarce two alike and they were more beautiful than birds, 
flowers, insects or indeed any other objects animate or 
inanimate that I have ever before seen. Words fail utterly 
to describe their truly gorgeous coloring and extraordinary 
markings. Perhaps the impression that they produced on 
me will best tell the story; I gazed at them a moment and 
then -- burst into tears . It was actually several minutes 
before I could again face the crowd of impassive negroes 
or control my voice sufficiently to talk with Riley and 
Hubbard. I do not know how to account for this emotion but 
for the moment it simply overpowered me. 
We left St. Croix at 5 P. M. and spent the night 
steaming for St. Christopher, 125 miles distant. The trade 
wind blew strong a.nd the sea was rather rough but only 
two or three of our passengers were at all affected by 
the motion. 
We have not seen the slightest trace of phosphores¬ 
cence in the water since leaving New York. Riley and Hubbard 
are puzzled by this fact. 
