Canadian Life

Jack is fascinated with the swells, the dark gray waters heaving continuously, relieved only by the spumes of foam along the crests, and little flying fish glimmering silver, skipping in the troughs. He wonders why they do that. There can't be any insects down there for them, and by coming out of the water, aren't they more exposed to the gulls?

Three or four times there is a lot of excitement, when someone spots a small whale or dolphin, breathing water into the air, like little geysers. But they're so far away no one can tell just what they are. Wouldn't it be great if they saw a sea monster of some sort? Not too big.

Thinking back over all the stories he has read about sailors and pirates, and fishermen who love the sea, Jack cannot imagine what the attraction could be. Miles and miles of nothing but water. At best it's uneventful, and at worst, - a taste of which was provided by one very windy day, when everything not attached got thrown about wildly - it's uncomfortable, even hazardous. Altogether Jack cannot fathom man's fascination with the sea. He has enjoyed many books of naval adventures, so much romantic history about military fleets and fiction about pirates, but now… It makes good reading, but someone else can do the doing.

Land Ho!

Some of the people on deck have spotted a dark line on the horizon. It's Canada! Isn't it? What a thrill. Let's get over there! What's taking so long! Let's go!