MALTA AND SICILY. 
199 
single mile. The Sicilian coast was in sight, 
and we had an occasional glimpse of Mount 
Etna, but a thick haze over the land made 
the view very indistinct. This delay in our 
voyage was very vexatious, but our captain 
and his men appeared perfectly happy, and 
resigned to their situation. Those who were 
not asleep below, found ample amusement 
in a pack of cards. They lay basking in 
the sun for hours, intent on their game; the 
loser instead of paying any money, received 
a certain number of blows on his nose with 
a card, which ridiculous punishment was 
given and received with a great deal of 
merriment and goodhumour. The crew re¬ 
ceived no regular wages, but were paid by a 
certain portion of the freight or passage- 
money. 
We had comforted ourselves during the 
day with thinking, that this tedious calm 
