10 
CALIFORNIA ILLUSTRATED. 
We had now passed Sandy Hook, and putting our helm down, 
we stood away to the South. The wind being light, we bent 
on studding sails, and were soon making our course at the rate 
of five knots. The excitement had now subsided; and, as the 
hills were fast receding, we were most painfully admonished 
that we were leaving home and friends. We soon sunk the 
highest points of land below the horizon, and felt that we were 
fairly launched upon the ocean, and that we were traveling to a 
scene of adventure, the result of which no one could divine. 
We felt that sinking of spirit one only feels on such occasions; 
and, at this particular time, clouds as dark as night hung in the 
horizon of the future. Night came on, and with it a stiff breeze, 
creating a heavy sea. This caused most of the passengers to 
forget their friends, and bestow their undivided care upon them¬ 
selves. 
For some cause, at this particular juncture, the passengers 
were affected with peculiar sensations, mostly in the region of 
the stomach. They did not think it was sea-sickness. What¬ 
ever the cause may have been, the effect was most distressing. 
It assumed an epidemic form. The symptoms were a sickening 
sensation and nausea at the stomach; the effect, distressing 
groans and copious discharges at the mouth. The captain felt 
no alarm; said he had had similar cases before on board his 
ship. The night was spent in the most uncomfortable manner 
imaginable. Many of the passengers, too sick to reach their 
berths, were lying about on deck, and at every surge would 
change sides of the vessel. All being actuated by the same im¬ 
pulse, performed the same evolutions. 
With the dawn of the 28th, the wind lulled, and our canvas 
was again spread to a three knot breeze. At noon we took our 
first observation, and at evening passed a ship, although not 
within speaking distance. The dawn of the 29th is accompa¬ 
nied by a seven-knot breeze, and we stand away on our course 
with all sail set. At 3 P.M., we were saluted by a whale, and at 
4 entered the Gulf Stream. We here first observe luminous sub¬ 
stances in the water, which at night appear like an ocean of fire. 
During the night it blew a gale, and we ran under double-reefed 
topsails, with mainsail furled. 30th. Leave the Gulf Stream, the 
wind blowing a terrific gale. We are tossed about on moun- 
