with trunks, busy truckmen threading their way through the crowds, fruit and flower venders calling their wares, the gay good-bys and the sad partings of friends, all contributed to make up a novel and interesting picture.

At last the warning cry "All ashore!" and the deafening noise of the whistle, bade every one not ocean bound leave the ship. The great hawsers were slipped; and the ship, assisted by two tugboats, turned her prow seaward.

On the way down New York Harbor, the party noted the colossal statue of Liberty, the quarantine station, the quaint little fort on Governor's Island, and other points of interest.

Mr. Cartmell called attention to the low, sandy shores of the bay, curving out from the New Jersey side into the point called Sandy Hook, the outermost land of the harbor.

At Sandy Hook the pilot, whom every steamer must take down the harbor, left the ship, and the voyage was really begun.

Although the children desired to stay on deck till land entirely faded from view, Mrs. Cartmell, as a more experienced ocean traveller, insisted that their staterooms should at once be arranged for the voyage. As there were several hundred passengers on board, it was desirable to be settled as soon as possible. Before an hour had elapsed, the wisdom of this suggestion was apparent. Papa meanwhile had attended to the seats at table, and the bringing out of the deck-chairs and warm rugs.

The family were glad to find their rooms conveniently near the main stairway. The beautiful decorations, and the many arrangements for the travellers' comfort, were a pleasurable surprise. The long corridors, spacious saloons, and broad staircases, with the troops of white-coated waiters, made it difficult to realize that so great a hotel establishment could really be afloat on an ocean voyage. By the advice of Mrs. Cartmell, no attempt was made to explore the ship till the

next day. The evening, though a beautiful one, saw but half the party on the deck. The long swell of the ocean, and the jar of the machinery, caused the majority of the passengers to retire to their staterooms early.

The next morning dawned bright and clear, with the sea smooth, and the air light and cool. Notwithstanding the good weather, but a small proportion of the passengers appeared for breakfast in the dining-room, and the row of chairs on the decks showed many vacancies. Mrs. Cartmell did not feel well enough to leave her stateroom, and all were more or less affected by the motion; but Mr. Cartmell was urgent for fresh air, and finally succeeded in establishing Florence and Nellie in their chairs on deck. Tucked up snugly in shawls and rugs, they soon felt decidedly better.

"Papa, what causes seasickness?" queried Florence, as she rearranged her pillows.

"There are many reasons given," returned Mr. Cartmell. "It is my theory that the trouble comes from the eye and the brain. The eye is strained by the unsteadiness of objects, and the brain fatigued. The ensuing dizziness produces nausea. However, do not dwell on your feelings too much. You will soon be all right. You will see plenty of things to interest you."

The noon hour brought several novel incidents, besides the cheering cups of hot bouillon carried about by the deck steward. The first was the throwing of the log to ascertain the speed of the ship. George and Fred had made friends with one of the officers, who kindly explained the working of the device.

Ancient Log.

"The log itself is, as you see, a small triangular piece of wood five or six inches wide. One edge is curved and weighted with lead to keep the log upright in the water. It hangs square by two cords knotted into holes, the ends fastened to the log-line. When the log is used, a man holds the reel over his head, and throws the chip well clear of the wake of the ship. An officer with a sand-glass "turns" at the right moment, and when the sand has run out, calls "stop." By the number of knots in the log-line which have run out, the speed of the ship is estimated. The word knot is used to designate a nautical mile, which is somewhat longer than the ordinary mile, being about 6,080 feet."

"This is a very ancient device, is it not?" asked Mr. Cartmell, who had been listening to the officer's words.

"Yes; the earliest mariners used something of the kind. Every ship, however, carries one or more of the modern logs. One of these is a long brass cylinder with registering dials, fastened to the rail of the ship. The line remains overboard for twelve or twenty-four hours. It has small screw flanges at the end, and these keep the line twisting and pulling at the dials. The electric towing-log is also one of the modern inventions."

"How many knots an hour does this ship make?

"As you know, perhaps, this is one of the fastest ships ever built. We expect 21 knots an hour of her in good weather. The first Atlantic steamer made only 8. If you and your sons would like to see the machinery which pro

duces this great speed, I shall be happy to take you about to-morrow morning."

Mr. Cartmell thanked the officer, and said they would be only too happy to accept.

Meanwhile, from their comfortable chairs, the girls had been watching a seaman take the temperature of the water. A canvas bucket of water was drawn up over the side, and a thermometer plunged into it, and the result reported to an officer.

On the bridge, high above the forward deck, they saw the captain and first officer busily engaged in taking an observation, to ascertain the ship's position. It was announced that the result of the reckoning would be posted in the main saloon at one o'clock.