Dec. 28th – Rainy – We see a number of rainbows, which when seen in the morning bear no very good omen. Sailors heave the log as usual. It generally takes ten ore twelve men to haul it in, as the weight of the water is very great. Last night hazy, moonlight, beautiful clouds and “so on.”

Nora’s beau is very entertaining. We sung a great many songs, one which had her name in it, Leonora, which he finding out was quite delighted. He called her Leonora, Leonora, until we felt obliged to explain that he must say Miss in order to prevent laughter and Nora’s embarrassment. He now says Miss Lenora.

Dec. 29th – A bright morning. Have passed the Azores Islands this morning. One of them was in full view with a town and fields in sight, and what several thought to be a castle. It is a pleasant idea to see land, even before we for we get to our journey’s end, as it will seem that we are not so entirely confined to the deep blue sea. It is now said that we will not be in Cadiz before three and one half days. I hope is will be soon as I think we have been out quite long enough.

Dec. 30th – Cloudy, cool, but no rain. Day spent as usual on deck. Tonight we went up on deck and after conversing with our friends a while, they went down stairs, where Mr. Genio dresses himself as a gypsy and with another young man dressed as his lover, he came up on deck where he deceived several persons, they taking him for a young lady and raising their hats to him. He had great difficulty in adjusting his hoops. He soon went down stairs and took a dame around the cabin. Tonight he told Nora if she fell in the sea he would go in after her. He is very good natured but very silly. He tries to play the agreeable.

Dec. 31st – Sunday – a bright morning, the most of which we have spent in our room reading. We have a fair wind with all sails set. Last night I walked up and down the deck with Mr. Matthews and we had a nice talk about home, our little girls, etc. We have done this for several nights, it being moonlight and it is a great relief after sitting all day. We are now on deck and have just seen a Chilian Man-of –War. Just after we saw a school of porpoises. Their heads look like that of a hog. These are the first living things I have seen since we left Havana, though others have seen flying fish and two birds. We will sight Cape St. Vincent tomorrow.