Rambles in America Past And Present

reet, New Bedford, Mass., bound for the Quaker City. By the kind courtesy of captain and mate, the writer of these pages was invited for the cruise. Nothing could exceed the beauty of that glorious June morning, as the vessel left her moorings to drift in the stream, preparatory to getting into the bay. The early sun's rays darted in vivid and playful slanting lines across the waters of the harbor, and the hush and quiet of the yet unawakened day lent a serenity of repose to the surroundings on shore. With the freshening of the wind, the foresail and mainsail were set to the breeze, and, as "we sailed quickly along the channel course, the order for jibs to be unfurled was promptly obeyed, and we speedily made for the bay, the sparkling waves parting, as our gallant vessel dashed through the seethy foam. As we- ploughed the limpid waters of Buzzard's Bay, quite a fleet of vessels was our company for miles, with their white, outstretched wings fully set, beating out for the ocean. The first night at sea, to a landsman, is generally an uncomfortable one, though, through the captain's kindness, I was provided with the best state-room on board the snug craft, yet the unpleasant motion made one crave for the morning' light. At daybreak we sighted Block Island, the large rolling waves, as usual in that locality, being very wild and turbulent; the same evening we brushed by Fire Island, the wind still ahead. On Sunday morning, a bright and lovely day, we s... --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.