Page:Oregon Historical Quarterly vol. 24.djvu/451

 Diary of Rev. George Gary — IV 419 bilge (as it is called) in the ship. She is now better and we flatter ourselves the worst (so far as sea sickness is concerned) is over. We find everything made as agree- able to us as can be by the captain, officers and all on board; we feel ourselves favored in this opportunity for sailing homeward. Saturday, 18. Our latitude today is 2.27 ; our weather is beautiful ; this morning a few whales were seen blow- ing at a distance from us, and we are enjoying ourselves pretty well. Only we should be pleased with a brisker breeze and with swifter speed homeward. Providence is wise and kind and contentment should be ours. It is hardly possible to describe the difference between the Brutus and the Wm. Hamilton, in respect to agreement and harmony. Good will had no place in the Brutus. He lives here fore and aft, and ever appears to be at home. We have on board three American seamen sent home by the American consul at the Sandwich Islands; they are disabled seamen; one of them has the consumption; this fearful and fatal disease has such hold upon him as that in all probability he will be committed to a watery grave, even before we pass round Cape Horn. He was desirous to start for home and if possible reach Sag Harbour before death, and see his wife to whom he had been married about two months before he sailed into these seas on a whaling voyage. Poor sailor, it is hardly possible he will ever see his native land or his darling wife. Providence give us an opportunity to counsel him as well as we can. I hope it will not be in vain. Sunday, 19. A very pleasant day, very light wind. Nearly all on board attend meeting. In the evening, quite a number of the sailors before the mast are very (ap- parently) delightfully employed in singing Methodist tunes and hymns. It sounds very agreeably to our ears. This Sabbath has some delights peculiar to the Sabbath. Monday, 20. Yesterday, fish such as Macon, Buntia, &c, were seen around the ship ; one shark presented him-