FROM NELSON TO THE WEST COAST.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 323, 13 August 1868, Page 2

FROM NELSON TO THE WEST COAST.

Br W. Tkmple. {Continued from our last.^) Besides these, there was a doctor, whose luggage consisted of a medicine chest, which he guarded with great care ; and a flask suggestive of unadulterated alcohol which he was continually drawing from its receptacle, and applying to his mouth, and a mixed as semblage of diggers, sheep, bullocks, pigs, lions, bears, and other animals, a portion of which belonged to a travelling menagerie on its way to "VVestport. A.s I finished my cigar and descended from the paddle box a small fire bell gave notice, to all concerned, that dinner was ready m the cabin ; and I accordingly descended, where on a horse-shoe shaped table a sumptuous repast awaited us. I was gratified to find that the sea air was so productive of a good appetite, and watched with undisguised admiration the heroic achievements of the dirty boots, who gallantly assaulted every dish, that happened to be within reach of their not over clean hands. It was also, with anxious solicitude I followed the dangerous performances of the tall hat, who, totally discarding the use of his fork, brandished his knife in such alarming proximity to his throat, as to suggest the idea that he contemplated the rash act of committing suicide in public. After the cloth was removed the whole of the company, with the exception of myself, went upon deck, I preferring to enjoy

the dolce-fa-niente on the velvet cushions. I picked up an Auckland paper and commenced to read. I was engaged in striving to understand a most incomprehensible leading article, of which, the greater portion appeared to bo abuse of a certain gentleman who Was unfortunate enough to be the editor of a rival newspaper, in the same town, and was always aluded to, as our contemporary, and I wondered whether the heroes of the pen had ever, proceeded or intended to proceed as far as coffee and pistols, or a little harmless fisticuffing in back ways, but, finding that I was gradually yielding somniferous influences, I went upon deck. On emerging from the companion ladder, I was astonished to observe the great change that had taken place in the weather. The blue sky was iflfr'isible, the wind was chasing the clouds across, and lashing the waves into foam, in its boisterous play. I was greatly concerned at perceiving this, for visions of my prevailing malady, dawned upon my unhappy soul. A sweetness in the mouth, and a tendency to lie down and die, were symptoms I could well understand, and I accordingly made my way out, endeavouring, as is usual in such cases, to hide the fact from my fellow passengers. Having at the first step driven my head against the honorable portion of the benevolent gentleman's body (which propelled him with great velocity into the arms of a venerable female, who was holding a basin for the convenience of an unhappy looking little boy) and being brought up standing, into the arms of the dirty-booted individual, (who winked his left eye in derision at his. dirty booted companion.) I reached the side of the vessel and eleand over the bulwarks watching with peculiar interest, each succeeding wave as it rolled up in a confused mass of green and white, imagining the silent depths —which to human eyes are invisible — beneath the noise and confusion of the turbulent waves above. Thn T pictured to myself, the inhabitants t f these unknown regions, from the enormous shark, to the insignificant sprat. The latter instantly brings to my recollection the remembrance of a certain box of sardines, the contents of which had been transferred from their coffin to that receptacle with which nature has invested all her sons, to receive such luxuries as .their hearts may desire, or the length of their purse will allow. This, together ' with a violent upheaving of the vessel, completed my discomfiture, and placing my arms on the rail and my chin in my hands, I restored the Sardinian sprats to their original element. Let us —as the novelists have it—draw the curtain over this scene of wretchedness and woe —merely informing any kindred spirits that I had the supreme happiness, as I tacked towards the cabin, of observing both, the philanthropist and Commissioner, in precisely the same position as I had myself previously occuiped. {To be continued in our next.)