it across my visual camera. Does that enfranchised soul
look down from far observatory height at wave-rocked ship like mature
manhood on baby rock-a-by? Fanned by soothing breezes of emerald-hued
sea, does this glad convalescent meander at will along either
tree-fringed shore, with happy child-impulsiveness gathering bouquets of
that foliage which is for the 'healing of the nations'?

"Little need for further globe-trotting in case of this once observing
traveler, who now--

'... has seen the secret hid
Under Egypt's pyramid.'

"To-day occurs the brief ocean obsequies. These are unimportant. It
signifies little when or where or how this ceremony is observed. By that
mysterious, anciently affirmed gravity the real wanderer has found
genial habitation. It matters not through what varying molds passes the
disintegrating and reincarnating dust. Essential identity lasts always.
Ego consciousness is sure.

"This eccentric 'tramp' steamer passes through many experiences. Being
propelled by both wind and steam, she often veers with capricious
'trades,' making peculiar tacks, through some odd adjustment of time,
air, and coal. Points not marked upon more pretentious charts receive
and bill barter products. The vessel often drops anchor far from land,
in channels having neither wharf nor breakwater.

"Queer methods of transfer from ship and shore amuse me. Seeing horses
and cattle swimming to and from the vessel, their noses projecting over
the sides of rowboats, is interesting. Even trained circus animals are
subject to this moist ordeal. By crude tackle and steam-turned windlass,
suspended in midair, the poor beasts find ship asylum a most welcome
port of entry. One passenger is both amusing and annoying. This
odd-geared Teuton hails from Hamburg. Like most stuttering unfortunates,
he is a chronic talker. He stutters garrulously in several tongues.
There are serious impediments in his pumping gestures. His tongue,
hands, and feet, like stringed orchestra, seem trying to arrive at an
amicable understanding, but never find the right chord.

"My reserve piques him. Professional solicitude is aroused. This German
AEsculapian expert is anxious for a diagnosis. Perhaps this still
Englishman requires a prescription.

"For days I am amused and bored by the German's antics. Late at night,
after an unusually hot day, the vessel drops anchor. A circus
aggregation is taken aboard. After a two-hours' stop the ship moves on.