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it seemed a series of gutteral gurglings that were most unattractive.
Sailing along in great style, heeling well over, weather still very
humid. Will probably be out of the Tropics in 2 days.

Tuesday Jan. 18th. Strong wind and heavy sea, ship heeling over
rather uncomfortably. Lovely on deck, but more oppressive than ever
below. Work on the ship going on at a great rate, the Chief a "tiger"
for work and keeps things moving, very different to our late Chief's
methods!. A new foremast fore-stay being fixed, all stays white-
leaded, the air seems full of "young men on flying trapezes"! All
day the cry goes up "on deck and make fast" as the young men are
lowered by degree in the bosun's chair along the stays. Wind
lessening.

Wednesday Jan. 19th. Wind very much lighter, also feels less tropical.
Sun directly over head to-day, very hot especially below. Did
Captain's ironing this morning, - felt a "grease spot" but survived!
Sea the most amazing and glorious blue, and wind almost dropped.
In Lat. 20s. so will soon be out of the Tropics. They have been
really rather hard to take this time. Steward, who is a terrific
worker and extraordinary clean and thorough, has no imagination
where food suitable for the Tropics is concerned. Very fat, thick
lumps of bacon with beans at mid-day, for evening meal a peppery soup
followed by hashed tinned beef and baked potatoes!.

Thursday Jan. 20th. A lovely day, sea the most glorious blue and
breeze pleasant, but the sun is directly overhead and terribly fiery,
seems to burn one up. Fun and games on deck, Steward had the cooks,
messboy and A. helping him clean out the tank, where the packets of
rye bread are stored - practically all have weevils, so were hurled
overboard, but packets went flying about the decks and at "Messy and
Aussie's" heads, they were painting outside the ship. A huge stack
of rye bread is piled on the hatch, will probably go overside, too.
Steward says the "English pigs are too much gentlemen" to eat it!

Friday Jan. 21st. Another glorious day, and altho' the sun is
blazing, the atmosphere is definitely less tropical - we are in
Lat 24[degrees] 30. This evening a fair wind sprang up, we are gliding
smoothly and silently along, Capt, says the S.E. Trades are finished.
A stir in the starboard watch last night. As usual, the miserable
half-bred Spaniard was asleep on watch, instead of the customary
bucket of cold sea water, brooms etc, were applied heavily, I over
heard the yells aft!. Espaniola seems a dead loss, as far as being
even a mildly useful sailor. The Australians think quite a number of
the crew are contemplating "jumping" at "Port Vic." (as all seem to
call it, as they (the A's) are putting the wind up the faint-hearted
by reading passages from pre-war copies of "Sea Breezes" containing
descriptions of sailing ships rounding Cape Horn! Work going on
apace, all capable are day-men. The "Hitler Youth" is a wonderful
sun-tan, his guttural comic-German utterances are very entertaining.
"Laloux, what for do you the the deck sweep?" "To-nee, kom dnown", etc.

Saturday Jan. 22nd. Young John Harrisons' 16th birthday, but he's