CHAPTER IV

Honolulu to San Francisco

HONOLULU, July 19, 1866; the Comet, with Howard
and Mrs, Spencer and Nellie and Katie on board, left at
2 P.M. with a great firing of cannon and went to wind-
ward (unusual)—we left peaceably in the Smyrniote at
4:30 P.M. (Comet out of sight) and went in same direc-
tion. Now we shall see who beats to San Francisco.

Made no miles up to noon of Friday 20th, but were
then only 10 miles from Oahu, having gone clear around
the island.

On 2ist made 179 miles.

Tuesday, July 24, had calm several times. Are we never
to make any longitude, the Trades arc weakening—it is
time we struck the China winds about midnight—say
in lat. 36.

Wednesday, 2Sth, 3 P.M. We are abreast of San Fran-
cisco, but 1700 miles at sea. When will the wind change,

25th July, lat. 29 N. I was genuinely glad this evening
to welcome the first twilight I have seen in 6 years. No
twilight in the Islands, California or Washoe.

Minister to ship captain who is complaining of desert-
ing sailors: "Don't swear captain, that won't mend the
matter." Captain: "Brother Damon, it's all very well for
you to say, don't swear, and it's all right too—I don't say
anything against it—but don't you know that if you
should ship a crew of sailors for Heaven and were to stop
at Hell 2j4 hrs. for provisions, some damned son-of-a-
gun would run away."

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