CHAPTER LIX.

We were at sea now, for a very long voyage--we were to pass through the

entire length of the Levant; through the entire length of the

Mediterranean proper, also, and then cross the full width of the

Atlantic--a voyage of several weeks. We naturally settled down into a

very slow, stay-at-home manner of life, and resolved to be quiet,

exemplary people, and roam no more for twenty or thirty days. No more,

at least, than from stem to stern of the ship. It was a very comfortable

prospect, though, for we were tired and needed a long rest.

We were all lazy and satisfied, now, as the meager entries in my

note-book (that sure index, to me, of my condition), prove. What a

stupid thing a note-book gets to be at sea, any way. Please observe the

style:

"Sunday--Services, as usual, at four bells. Services at night,

also. No cards.

"Monday--Beautiful day, but rained hard. The cattle purchased at

Alexandria for beef ought to be shingled. Or else fattened. The

water stands in deep puddles in the depressions forward of their

after shoulders. Also here and there all over their backs. It is

well they are not cows--it would soak in and ruin the milk. The

poor devil eagle--[Afterwards presented to the Central Park.]--from

Syria looks miserable and droopy in the rain, perched on the forward

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The Innocents Abroad