224 DOTTINGS ON THE ROADSIDE. [Chap. NHL— B. P. 
flitting with railway-speed across it, driven before the 
strong N.E. trade-wind, which blew with almost the 
strength of a “ norther ” in the Gulf of Mexico. 
Little by little this enchanting panorama becomes 
dimmer and dimmer, and, as night approaches, only 
the faintest outline, known to seamen as the “loom 
of land,” remains visible. So for the present we lose 
sight of Jamaica,—the good ship rushing into the dark¬ 
ness and bowling along before a trade-wind, suffi¬ 
ciently strong, indeed, to raise quite a heavy sea, and 
to give us all a good taste of the rolling qualities of the 
dear old craft; built on a plan which has now given 
place to others scarcely less absurd. 
