Page:California Inter Pocula.djvu/149

 he  left  the

steamer at  Sandy  Hook. One covered  his  conceal- ment so completely  as  to  elude  the  searchers  and remained hidden  until  next  day,  when,  on  making  his appearance he  was  set  to  work  in  the  coal  bunkers  for his passage. Forgotten adieus  and  farewell  letters were sent  back  by  the  pilot,  then  with  Titan  arms our ship  struck  out  upon  her  course  through  the waves of  the  Atlantic.

Just as  we  were  going  out  we  met  the  steamer  with returning: Californians  comina:  in. Cheer followed cheer in  noisy  recognition. With what  varied emotions the  loud  greetings  were  given! On the one side  hopeful  enthusiasm,  and  the  inspiration  of bright  prospects,  glad  to  be  off  and  eager  to  make  the venture; on  the  other,  mingled  success  and  failure, some with  ruined  health,  some  with  ruined  hopes, some brim-full  of  happiness,  while  all  their  broad bosoms swelled  at  the  thought  of  placing  foot  once more on  native  soil — all  glad  to  be  back,  to  be  out of the  wilderness,  the  wilderness  of  land  and  the wilderness of  water.

Order rapidly  evolved  from  the  confusion  ;  all  settled quietly into  place. Some sat  apart  and  smoked  and thought of  those  left  behind;  others  grouped  and talked of  the  time  to  come. While thus  abstracted an insidious  and  subtle  influence  appeared  to  settle upon the  voyagers. The air,  it  seemed  to  me,  was impregnated with  it,  and  I  could  feel  it  creeping  up from  the  water  through  the  ship's  timbers,  through the planks  on  which  I  trod,  and  into  my  feet  and bones. I noticed  the  ship  staggered  a  little  in  her gait, and  the  promenaders  likewise  staggered,  and  a peculiar  expression  of  smiling  discomfort  overspread the yellowish-white  faces  of  some. Land and  day- light disappeared, and  we  were  alone  with  darkness and the  ocean.

Night shut  us  in  with  angry  storm-clouds,  and closed us  round  with  white-capped  waves  that  curled their raised  crests  and  hissed  defiance  on  the  ponder-