Then comes the
Champagne lunch where everyone says all that is polite to everyone
else, and then the uncertainty when to start. So far as we know
NOW, we are to start to-morrow morning at daybreak; letters that
come later are to be sent to Pernambuco by first mail. . . . My
father has sent me the heartiest sort of Jack Tar's cheer.
'S. S. HOOPER. OFF FUNCHAL, JUNE 29. - Here we are off Madeira at
seven o'clock in the morning. Thomson has been sounding with his
special toy ever since half-past three (1087 fathoms of water). I
have been watching the day break, and long jagged islands start
into being out of the dull night. We are still some miles from
land; but the sea is calmer than Loch Eil often was, and the big
HOOPER rests very contentedly after a pleasant voyage and
favourable breezes. I have not been able to do any real work
except the testing [of the cable], for though not sea-sick, I get a
little giddy when I try to think on board. . . . The ducks have
just had their daily souse and are quacking and gabbling in a
mighty way outside the door of the captain's deck cabin where I
write.
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