Page:"Round the world." - Letters from Japan, China, India, and Egypt (IA roundworldletter00fogg 0).pdf/54

 over our heads before they finally chassaed into the ocean.

About three o’clock the Captain came down end assured us that the danger was over, although it was yet very rough, as we had passed through the outer rim of the cyclone, and most of the passengers returned to their rooms to find everything in confusion, and their bedding and clothes soaking wet. This, however, we cared very little for. I threw myself, in my wet clothing, upon the sofa, and in half an hour was fast asleep.

The next morning the sun shone bright and clear, and as we gathered in the saloon to a late breakfast we were a hard looking set. Everybody shook hands with everybody else, and each had his or her personal experience to relate. The events of the night before seemed like a horrible dream. But the bruises some of us had received, the heads of some of the waiters cut in falling against tables and over chairs, the smashed bulwarks and battered guards, and the stains of the salt spray to the very top of the smokestack, were evidence that our experience of a typhoon had been real. The captain said that in his twenty-three year’s experience he had never seen a harder blow, although fortunately for us it was of short duration. Our Peruvian was especially demonstrative in his congratulations. If he made any good resolutions in the hour of peril to let the poor Coolies alone, I fear he has since forgotten them, for I overheard him yesterday discussing with another passenger the chances of getting a cargo.

Today is Thanksgiving, and to us it is an occasion of genuine heartfelt thanksgiving and gratitude to Almighty God for the dangers we have escaped, and we need no fat turkeys nor sparkling champagne to give fervor to our thanks. W. P. F.