iately all the space on the left of the ship for about

a radius of 50 yards was covered with canoes and 3 black
men got on board to reinforce the crew. We have been in
sight of land all day and when we passed Cape Palmas, a
very pretty point and I'm told a very pretty country
surrounds it, where there are a great many English people
and a very pretty town. It is on what is known as the
gold coast and there is on the cape a telegraph station.
So for that reason as we came near and went by we hoisted
our flag in order that they might know our ship and
thereby send s telegram to Antwerp. You know thet is
customary of all ships. After prayers we went out on
deck and in the moonlight we saw all the blacks lying
out sound asleep like hogs, some with no covering

except the beautiful canopy of heaven, while others were
covered up, head and ears with tarpolians and not a
breath of air for them. It seems the hotter it is the
better they like it. Now good-night.

Dec. 23 ~ Wednesday
"Old scl" with his radiant glow shining forth on the
placid waters of the Atlantic, not far from the coast of
Africa just where the bend begins to grow larger and go
| to the Guld of Guinea, found me on deek enjoying nature
as best I cound on the water. I hed a good night's rest,
however, and feel very well indeed this morning. The
breskfast bell is now summoning me to breakfast eo I
will see what they have in anewer to the calle A hearty
breakfast partaken and am now on deck again. There is
nothing much to interest one except act as nearly as
possible, our Christian lives so that those on board
may sea that we are Christians and have been with God.
I em now reading for pasttime The Old Gurosity Shop -
Dickens, you know, and I am so wrapped in it that it is
hard to lay it down. Is is now after nine o'clock and
we have just had a nice prayer meeting. I am now cooling
off @ little before retiring. Good-night.

Dec. 24 — Thursday

Can it be possible that this is the day before Kxas? It
is certainly. I was aroused from wy slumbers this am.
by someone speaking in French that Acra wags in sight. I
ean't quote in words but I understood the remark, 80 up
I got and dressed at once and went out on deck to view
the city. My first glimpse of the country showed me
that this part is a prairie, and reminds me very much of
