Page:Notes of the Mexican war 1846-47-48.djvu/58

52 everything fast; the sailors also tell us that the sea by tomorrow morning would run mountain high. To-night the sea is as red as fire, wild and rough looking.

''Wednesday. February 3, 1847.''—This morning, sure enough, the storm raged with the utmost fury, but died away about 10 o'clock, The sea is now a magnificent sight, sparkling like a sea of diamonds on the massive sheet of foam, playing, plunging and burying themselves in the deep blue bosom of the Gulf of Mexico. To-night the wind rose again, and almost every soldier was seen to jump into his bunk to take a good night's sleep on the rocking of the ship, for we are now getting well used to the rocking and rough sea. Good night.

Thursday, February 4, 1847.—This morning the storm ceased and the sea became quite calm. At 10 o'clock,, we were startled by the cry of a shark. All the soldiers rushed upon deck to witness the sight, when some thirty shots were fired at him, but he seemed not to mind it at all, but was soon captured by a sailor who had a large hook tied to the harpoon. He was hauled on deck and skinned by Alburtus Welsh, of our company. He measured six feet in length. Mr. Welsh wasn't long before he had the shark cut up and put on the fire to cook. After which Mr. Welsh gave me a piece. It was the first shark meat I ever eat, and I must confess it was the best fish meat I most ever eat. This evening we noticed several small fishes swimming alongside of our ship. We lowered a basket and scooped several of them up. They are called the pilot boy. This fish is something on the leech order, it having a broad, flat head. They die as soon as they are out of water.

Friday, February 5, 1847.—This morning our ship's captain discovered that we were not far from land, the wind being still against us, and of course making very little headway. At noon we saw several swallows flying about the ship. This indicated that we were not far from land. This evening is calm, not a ripple can be seen on the ocean.