Four of them were pretty close together, and formed a picturesque group.

Some time afterwards we saw two more.
In the night of the 1st-2nd of July, we reached the western point of Luzon, and entered on the dangerous Chinese Sea.

I was heartily glad at last to bid adieu to the Pacific Ocean, for a voyage on it is one of the most monotonous things that can be imagined.

The appearance of another ship is a rare occurrence; and the water is so calm that it resembles a stream.

Very frequently I used to start up from my desk, thinking that I was in some diminutive room ashore; and my mistake was the more natural, as we had three horses, a dog, several pigs, hens, geese, and a canary bird on board, all respectively neighing, barking, grunting, cackling, and singing, as if they were in a farm-yard.
6th July.