ENTER THE TROPIC OF CANCER. 
11 
tainous waves, and all sick. 31st. All sail set, and running six 
knots ; dolphins and porpoises playing about the ship. We are 
again saluted by a whale. 
1st Feb. Pleasant; all appear at table; enter the trade winds; 
hoist studding-sails; lovely day; 4, P.M., mate catches a dolphin, 
and brings him on deck. 2d. Calm summer day. 3d. All on 
deck; extremely pleasant. 4th. Sunday; pleasant; pass a 
ship ; fine breeze; throw the log; are running eight knots. 5th. 
Pass through schools of flying-fish, one of which flies on board. 
We enter the tropic of Cancer. A flock of black heron are 
flying through the air; we take an observation; are eighty miles 
from Cay cos and Turk’s Island ; making for the Cay cos passage. 
7th. 5, P.M. The captain discovers land from the mast-head, and 
we are cheered with the cry of “ Land, Ho !’’ We pass around 
Caycos Island, and through the passage; and on the morning 
of the 8th, are in sight of St. Domingo, sixty miles distant. It 
looms up from the horizon like a heavy black cloud. 9th. Pass 
the island of Cuba, and on the 10th enter the Caribbean Sea. We 
passed near the island of Nevassa, a small rocky island, inhabit¬ 
ed only by sea-fowl. They mistaking our vessel for a fowl 
of a 'larger species, came off in flocks, until our rigging was 
filled, and the sun almost obscured. They met with a foul 
reception. There were eighty passengers on board, all armed. 
They could not resist the temptation, but wantonly mutilated 
the unsuspecting birds, many of which expiated with their lives 
the crime of confiding in strangers. One would receive a charge 
of shot, with which it would fly back to the island, uttering the 
most unharmonious screeches, when a new deputation would set 
off for us, many of them destined to return to the island in the 
same musical mood. Fortunately, we were driven along by the 
breeze, and they returned to their homes, and have, no doubt, 
spent many an evening around the family hearth, speculating 
upon the peculiar sensations experienced on that occasion. The 
enthusiasm of the passengers did not immediately subside, but 
they spent the afternoon in shooting at targets. 
11th. Thermometer standing at 80°. We are carried along 
with a three-knot breeze; our ship bowing gracefully to the 
undulations of the sea. It being Sunday, home presents itself 
vividly to our imagination. 13th. Standing in for the coast of 
