Page:The Catalpa Expedition (1897).djvu/196

164 O'er our pathway, in the sunshine, flies the wide-winged albatross, O'er our topmast, in the moonlight, hangs the starry Southern Cross.

"By the stormy cape now flying, with a full and flowing sail, See the daylight round us dying on the black breast of the gale! See the lightning flash above us and the dark surge roll below! Here's a health to those who love us! Here's defiance to the foe!

"Now the wide Atlantic clearing with our good ship speeding free, The dull 'Cape of Storms' we're leaving far to eastward on our lee. And as homeward through the waters the old Catalpa goes, Ho! you fellows at the masthead, let us hear once more, "She blows."

"Next by lonely St. Helena, with a steady wind we glide By the rock-built, sea-girt prison, where the gallant Frenchman died, "With the flying fish and porpoise sporting 'round us in the wave, With the starry flag of freedom floating o'er us bright and brave.

"Past 'The Line,' and now the dipper hangs glittering in the sky. Onward still! In the blue water, see, the gulf weed passing by. Homeward! Homeward to Columbia, blow you, steady breezes, blow, 'Till we hear it, from the masthead, the joyful cry, "Land ho!'"

Mr. Farnham, the second mate, died suddenly of heart disease on the 8th of May, and was buried at sea the following day. He had been a faithful man, and there was sincere sorrow throughout the ship's company.

Captain Anthony made his course for the south end of Madagascar, and stood well inshore in rounding the cape, across the Agulhas Banks, to receive the advantage of the current which sets into the Atlantic Ocean. Here severe winter weather was