Around the World in Seventy-Two Days | Page 5

chairs and rugs and got into comfortable positions, as if
determined to enjoy themselves while they could, for they did not know
what moment someone would be enjoying themselves at their expense.
When the pilot went off everybody rushed to the side of the ship to see
him go down the little rope ladder. I watched him closely, but he
climbed down and into the row boat, that was waiting to carry him to
the pilot boat, without giving one glance back to us. It was an old story
to him, but I could not help wondering if the ship should go down,
whether there would not be some word or glance he would wish he had
given.
"You have now started on your trip," someone said to me. "As soon as
the pilot goes off and the captain assumes command, then, and only

then our voyage begins, so now you are really started on your tour
around the world."
Something in his words turned my thoughts to that demon of the
sea--sea-sickness.
Never having taken a sea voyage before, I could expect nothing else
than a lively tussle with the disease of the wave.
"Do you get sea-sick ?" I was asked in an interested, friendly way. That
was enough; I flew to the railing.
Sick? I looked blindly down, caring little what the wild waves were
saying, and gave vent to my feelings.
People are always unfeeling about sea-sickness. When I wiped the tears
from my eyes and turned around, I saw smiles on the face of every
passenger. I have noticed that they are always on the same side of the
ship when one is taken suddenly, overcome, as it were, with one's own
emotions.
The smiles did not bother me, but one man said sneeringly:
"And she's going around the world!"
I too joined in the laugh that followed. Silently I marveled at my
boldness to attempt such a feat wholly unused, as I was, to sea-voyages.
Still I did not entertain one doubt as to the result.
Of course I went to luncheon. Everybody did, and almost everybody
left very hurriedly. I joined them, or, I don't know, probably I made the
start. Anyway I never saw as many in the dining room at any one time
during the rest of the voyage.
When dinner was served I went in very bravely and took my place on
the Captain's left. I had a very strong determination to resist my
impulses, but yet, in the bottom of my heart was a little faint feeling
that I had found something even stronger than my will power.

Dinner began very pleasantly. The waiters moved about noiselessly, the
band played an overture, Captain Albers, handsome and genial, took
his place at the head, and the passengers who were seated at his table
began dinner with a relish equaled only by enthusiastic wheelmen when
roads are fine. I was the only one at the Captain's table who might be
called an amateur sailor. I was bitterly conscious of this fact. So were
the others.
I might as well confess it, while soup was being served, I was lost in
painful thoughts and filled with a sickening fear. I felt that everything
was just as pleasant as an unexpected gift on Christmas, and I
endeavored to listen to the enthusiastic remarks about the music made
by my companions, but my thoughts were on a topic that would not
bear discussion.
I felt cold, I felt warm; I felt that I should not get hungry if I did not see
food for seven days; in fact, I had a great, longing desire not to see it,
nor to smell it, nor to eat of it, until I could reach land or a better
understanding with myself.
Fish was served, and Captain Albers was in the midst of a good story
when I felt I had more than I could endure.
"Excuse me," I whispered faintly, and then rushed, madly, blindly out. I
was assisted to a secluded spot where a little reflection and a little
unbridling of pent up emotion restored me to such a courageous state
that I determined to take the Captain's advice and return to my
unfinished dinner.
"The only way to conquer sea-sickness is by forcing one's self to eat,"
the Captain said, and I thought the remedy harmless enough to test.
They congratulated me on my return. I had a shamed feeling that I was
going to misbehave again, but I tried to hide the fact from them. It
came soon, and I disappeared at the same rate of speed as before.
Once again I returned. This time my nerves felt a little unsteady and my
belief in my determination was weakening, Hardly had I seated myself

when I caught