It is often wild enough in one part or another. I once
knew a writer who, after saying beautiful things about the sea, passed
through a Pacific hurricane, and he became a changed man. But where,
after all, would be the poetry of the sea were there no wild waves? At
last here was the _Spray_ in the midst of a sea of coral. The sea
itself might be called smooth indeed, but coral rocks are always
rough, sharp, and dangerous. I trusted now to the mercies of the Maker
of all reefs, keeping a good lookout at the same time for perils on
every hand.
Lo! the Barrier Reef and the waters of many colors studded all about
with enchanted islands! I behold among them after all many safe
harbors, else my vision is astray. On the 24th of May, the sloop,
having made one hundred and ten miles a day from Danger Point, now
entered Whitsunday Pass, and that night sailed through among the
islands. When the sun rose next morning I looked back and regretted
having gone by while it was dark, for the scenery far astern was
varied and charming.
CHAPTER XV
Arrival at Port Denison, Queensland--A lecture--Reminiscences of
Captain Cook--Lecturing for charity at Cooktown--A happy escape from a
coral reef--Home Island, Sunday Island, Bird Island--An American
pearl-fisherman--Jubilee at Thursday Island--A new ensign for the
_Spray_--Booby Island--Across the Indian Ocean--Christmas Island.
On the morning of the 26th Gloucester Island was close aboard, and the
_Spray_ anchored in the evening at Port Denison, where rests, on a
hill, the sweet little town of Bowen, the future watering place and
health-resort of Queensland.
Pages:
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183