November 28th.—To-day our short stay at Penang comes to a conclusion, and a few days afterwards we are once more at Singapore.
CHAPTER VI.
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"Merrily, merrily on we sail! The sailor's life is gay! His hopes are on the favouring gale, And whether it freshens, or whether it fail He recks not, cares not, no not he; For his hope is ever upon the sea." |
SARAWAK.—LABUAN.—MANILLA.—HEAVY WEATHER.
December 5th.—At 4 p.m. the anchor was hove short for our voyage to Hong Kong, by way of Manilla. As we start some days sooner than we anticipated, we had made no provision for getting our washed clothes on board, and grave fears are entertained that we shall be compelled to sail without it, for as yet there is not so much as the ghost of a washerwoman in sight. Will they, can they by any fortuitous combination of circumstances, put in an appearance before we leave? Despair, we are off! But surely no, it can't be? Yes, by jove, there are boats pulling after us with all the might the rowers can command. We lie to, the proas come nearer. Hurrah! the clothes, some wholly washed, some half-washed, and some not washed at all. Piles of fair white linen are bundled up the gangway pell-mell, Malay washerwomen bundled out ditto, and for payment, the revolving screws settle that in a highly satisfactory manner.
With the "Lapwing" in tow, and the gentlest of breezes filling the lighter canvas, we shape our course eastward.