came to first, where it was shallow, sea-snakes writhed about on the surface and tumbled over and over in the waves. As the sloop sailed farther on, where the sea became deep, they disappeared. In the ocean, where the water is blue, not one was ever seen.
In the days of serene weather there was not much to do but to read and take rest on the Spray, to make up as much as possible for the rough time off Cape Horn, which was not yet forgotten, and to forestall the Cape of Good Hope by a store of ease. My sea journal was now much the same from day to day—something like this of June 26 and 27, for example:
June 26, in the morning, it is a bit squally; later in the day blowing a steady breeze.
| On the log at noon is ... | 130 | miles |
| Subtract correction for slip ... | 10 | " |
| 120 | " | |
| Add for current ... | 10 | " |
| 130 | " |
Latitude by observation at noon, 10° 23' S. Longitude as per mark on the chart.
There was n't much brain-work in that log, I 'm sure. June 27 makes a better showing, when all is told:
First of all, to-day, was a flying-fish on deck; fried it in butter.
133 miles on the log.
For slip, off, and for current, on, as per guess, about equal—let it go at that.
Latitude by observation at noon, 10° 25' S.
