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Article THE FIRST CRUISE OF THE " VIXEN." ← Page 5 of 23 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The First Cruise Of The " Vixen."
stem-sheets ; I endeavoured to imitate him , but my emulation Avas rexvarded by a pitch head foremost into the pit of the stomach of the stroke oar . My mishap Avas recovered by a laugh , ancl Ave soon stood upon the snoxv-white deck of the Vixen . I Avas astonished at the scrupulous neatness of everything . My creAA ' , consisting of tAveh'e of the finest men I ever beheld ,
looked like so many editions of AA illiam in " Black-eyed Susan . " I felt a sense of personal security Avhen I scanned their noble limbs ancl hardy features . I cast my eyes aloft , and there too all was so neat ancl so methodical , that I stood lost in admiration . Oh , thought I , it is quite impossible that anybody can suffer from sea-sickness on board such an elegant turnout as this !
" Anything wrong aloft , sir 1 " inquired an anxious A'oice beside me ; it Avas my yacht-master , Mr . Boom , who had mistaken my gaze of delight for one of criticism . " No , no , Mr . Boom ; it is quite right , " said I , as I made my escape to the cabin , AA'here I found Tom inspecting , Avhile Darcy Avas seated on the floor . If I was astonished by the neatness
on deck , I was less prepared for the luxury of the cabins . The A'essel being a yacht of the largest size , newly built on the American model , Avas as roomy in the poop as she Avas sharp and contracted in the bows . The ceiling of the little saloon Avas jiainted on AVatteau panelling : the beauty and purity of the colouring redeemed the meretricious nature of the subjects .
The headings AA'ere in dead gold , and the Avails were mirrors set in arabesque columns , ancl curtained Avith crimson satin drapery . A gilt table Avas at one end of the room , around three sides of Avhich was fashioned a kind of couch in crimson satin . Above the table SAA'img a gilt lamp , the carpet Avas a rich green Ambusson , manufactured to fit the cabin , AA'ith the xvord " A ^ ixen "
worked into each of the corners , and the cypher of the Royal Yacht Club forming an ornament in the centre . The sleepingcabins Avere furnished AA'ith similar taste ; indeed , I could not conceive by Avhat ingenuity so much expense coulcl hax'e been crammed into so small a space . AVhile I Avas all abroad with admiration , Tom was quite at home . He rummaged , examined ,
and finally made himself acquainted Avith everything , so that the little nigger whom I hacl purchased AAith the turnout , and who acted as factotum , steward , cook , and cabin-boy , looked from Tom to me , and from me to Tom , in evident doubt as to which was his master . " SundoAvn is going to fire , sir , " shouted Mr . Boom down the hatchway . AVe hurried on deck . Tom scanned the preparations Avith his eye , and turning to Nattv Boom , who stood
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The First Cruise Of The " Vixen."
stem-sheets ; I endeavoured to imitate him , but my emulation Avas rexvarded by a pitch head foremost into the pit of the stomach of the stroke oar . My mishap Avas recovered by a laugh , ancl Ave soon stood upon the snoxv-white deck of the Vixen . I Avas astonished at the scrupulous neatness of everything . My creAA ' , consisting of tAveh'e of the finest men I ever beheld ,
looked like so many editions of AA illiam in " Black-eyed Susan . " I felt a sense of personal security Avhen I scanned their noble limbs ancl hardy features . I cast my eyes aloft , and there too all was so neat ancl so methodical , that I stood lost in admiration . Oh , thought I , it is quite impossible that anybody can suffer from sea-sickness on board such an elegant turnout as this !
" Anything wrong aloft , sir 1 " inquired an anxious A'oice beside me ; it Avas my yacht-master , Mr . Boom , who had mistaken my gaze of delight for one of criticism . " No , no , Mr . Boom ; it is quite right , " said I , as I made my escape to the cabin , AA'here I found Tom inspecting , Avhile Darcy Avas seated on the floor . If I was astonished by the neatness
on deck , I was less prepared for the luxury of the cabins . The A'essel being a yacht of the largest size , newly built on the American model , Avas as roomy in the poop as she Avas sharp and contracted in the bows . The ceiling of the little saloon Avas jiainted on AVatteau panelling : the beauty and purity of the colouring redeemed the meretricious nature of the subjects .
The headings AA'ere in dead gold , and the Avails were mirrors set in arabesque columns , ancl curtained Avith crimson satin drapery . A gilt table Avas at one end of the room , around three sides of Avhich was fashioned a kind of couch in crimson satin . Above the table SAA'img a gilt lamp , the carpet Avas a rich green Ambusson , manufactured to fit the cabin , AA'ith the xvord " A ^ ixen "
worked into each of the corners , and the cypher of the Royal Yacht Club forming an ornament in the centre . The sleepingcabins Avere furnished AA'ith similar taste ; indeed , I could not conceive by Avhat ingenuity so much expense coulcl hax'e been crammed into so small a space . AVhile I Avas all abroad with admiration , Tom was quite at home . He rummaged , examined ,
and finally made himself acquainted Avith everything , so that the little nigger whom I hacl purchased AAith the turnout , and who acted as factotum , steward , cook , and cabin-boy , looked from Tom to me , and from me to Tom , in evident doubt as to which was his master . " SundoAvn is going to fire , sir , " shouted Mr . Boom down the hatchway . AVe hurried on deck . Tom scanned the preparations Avith his eye , and turning to Nattv Boom , who stood