At four o’clock, a few minutes before dinner, a ship was hailed to larboard. The first officer told me he thought it must be the “City of Paris,” one of the finest steamers of the “Inman Company,” but he was mistaken, for the steamer coming nearer, sent us her name, which was the “Saxonia,” belonging to the “National Steamship Company.” For a few minutes the two boats came alongside, within two or three cables’ length of each other. The deck of the “Saxonia” was covered with passengers, who saluted us with loud cheers.
At five o’clock another ship on the horizon, but too far off for her nationality to be recognized. This time it was undoubtedly the “City of Paris.” This meeting with ships, and the salutation between the Atlantic’s visitors, caused great excitement on board. One can understand that as there is little difference between one ship and another, the common danger of facing the uncertain element unites even strangers by a friendly bond.
At six o’clock a third ship appeared, the “Philadelphia,” one of the Inman line, used for the transportation of emigrants from Liverpool to New York. We were evidently in frequented seas, and land could not be far off. How I longed to reach it!
The “Europe,” a steamer belonging to the “Transatlantic Company,” carrying passengers from Havre to New York, was expected, but she did not come in sight, and had most likely taken a more northerly course.
Night closed in about half-past seven. As the sun sank below the horizon, the moon grew brighter and for some time hung shining in the heavens. A prayer-meeting, held by Captain Anderson, interspersed with hymns, lasted until nine o’clock.
The day passed without either Captain Corsican or myself receiving a visit from Drake’s seconds.
CHAPTER XXIX.
The next day, Monday, the 8th of April, the weather was very fine. I found the Doctor on deck basking in the sun. He came up to me. “Ah well!” said he, “our poor sufferer died in the night. The doctor never gave him up—oh, those doctors! they never will give in. This is the fourth man we have lost since we left Liverpool, the fourth gone towards paying the ‘Great Eastern’s’ debt, and we are not at the end of our voyage yet.”
“Poor fellow,” said I, “just as we are nearing port, and the American coast almost in sight. What will become of his widow and little children?”
“Would you have it otherwise, my dear sir. It is the law, the great law! we must die! We must give way to others. It is my opinion we die simply because we are occupying a place which by rights belongs to another. Now can you tell me how many people will have died during my existence if I live to be sixty?”