Page:Narrative of a Visit to the Australian Colonies.djvu/31

1831.] were generally as incapable of taking care of themselves, when temptation was in the way, as children; and the state of confusion they were in was often appalling. From first going on board we read to them twice a day from the Bible or religious tracts. This was nearly the only time they were quiet. At first some of them tried to stop us by making a noise, but finding we proceeded without noticing them, they ceased: and at the conclusion of the voyage, some of them acknowledged, that the time of our reading had been the only time in which they had had any comfort.

On arriving at the Cape of Good Hope, the captain delivered three of the most disorderly men to the civil authorities: two of them were detained, and three others and a woman of bad character, left the vessel of their own accord. Those who remained on board conducted themselves better after we got to sea again, notwithstanding several of them had become of evil notoriety during our short stay in Cape Town.

But to return to our voyage. On the 16th of 9th month, in the evening, we now and then caught a glimpse of the light on the Lizard Point, Cornwall; which was the last trace we saw of our native shores. Several of the pensioners had begun to repent of having embarked, before reaching this point! On the 17th, we were out of soundings, and the ocean presented the dark blue colour that prevails where it is unfathomably deep. The circle of view, not being broken by other objects, appeared very limited. From the ordinary elevation of a ship's deck, this circle is only estimated at about eight miles in diameter. The night of the 18th was stormy, and we were in some danger from want of skill in the second mate, in whose watch the vessel was "taken aback" in a squall. On the 19th, our water began to be very disagreeable; and we found bottled spring-water, of which we brought out a good stock, a great luxury. Many Stormy Petrels followed the vessel on the 20th, and at various subsequent periods. These little birds, which are about the size of a swallow, have a propensity to keep about the wake or track of a ship in windy weather, and before, as well as during a storm; therefore when they follow a vessel in calm weather,