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Marine Excursions. --

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Marine Excursions. No. 4.—THE TRIP TO TENBY, AND WHAT BECAME OF IT. "Monday, August 26th, Tenby (direct). Leave Penarth 10.40." Thus was announced the trip of which I am about to write. I made up my mind to go, and accordingly took steps to carry my desire into effect. £ To start with, the day was anything but favour- able for the undertaking, but as I bad resolved upon going at all costs—if the boat went. of course-I did not bang back, and 10.30 last Monday morning found me on the Pier waiting the arrival of the boat. I soon found I was not to be alone; several ac- quaintances appeared armed with cloaks, water- proofs, overcoats, umbrellas, &c, as though deter- mined they would not get very wet. However, they Blight pretty well hava said- We know not what's before us, What trials are to come." Soon after this the "Lorna Doone" hove in eight, ^bearing towards Cardiff from Bristol. The interval was spent in discussing the chances of the" Lana reaching Tenby that day, some thinking she would not go further than the Mumbles. Thgn the sight of the Lady Margant going into Cardiff caused the remtrk that on account of the rough weather down channel the « Lorna Doone would not go, but that the Bristol passengers for Tenby would be trans- ferred to the "Lady Margaret." This idea gained currency on account of the length of time which elapsed before she arrived. At last the (- Lorna," turned up. and the Tenby passengers from Penarth passed through the Pier turnstiles. However, our turn was not yet come, for the popular captain of the ship announced that he was bound for Weston and Clevedon (not Newport, as an official called out by mistake and caused a passenger to exclaim that probably he was in love). Here comes the Margaret, says one or two, and sure enough she was majestically bearing down upon us to take Us to regions unknown (to most of us at least). We got on board, the ropes were cast off and hauled in, and we were off. I had a look round me, and discovered an old friend of mine, who thereafter was my companion for the day. We continued our walk round, and was surprised to see so many had ventured. Then we looked for a seat, and were for- tunate enough to secure well sheltered positions; So far so good. Now we began to cast our eyes about to see what could be seen as we were sailing merrily along. We got as far as Barry, and then fell to talking of bygone dave, and time passed faster than we thought, for when I looked up I discovered we were off Nash Point. Here the waves began to assert their power, and tha ship began rolling and pitching- The music was hushed, the piano covered up, and the passengers, for zn the most part, grew quieter. But I, with my companion, still kept a look out for the scenery, &c., heedless of the vessel's motion, as it ploughed through the sea. Soon we passed Dunmven Casile, then Southern- down, Porthcawl, and Sker Point hove in sight. By this time the fun had commenced passengers ran to the sides of the vessel in droves—for a purpose. The waves dashed over the ship anddrenched most of those on deck. The fore deck was specially favoured in this direction, the passengers there getting wet to the skin. It was getting worse and worse as we reached the Mumbles Head, and the deck of the Margaret" still more frequently received a supply of water. The man at the wheel, the captain, and others of the sailors put on their oil-skins to protect themselves, and prepared for a rough time of it. The gangways and other loose things had long since been securely fastened. Indeed, so bad had it become that an appeal by some of the passengers was made to the captain to put into the Mumbles. He eventually granted their request, and turned round and headed for the Swansea Bay. A little previous to this one of the crew was asked if they were going to Tenby, or would f hty put into the Mumbles ? and his question was answered by another—" Why put into the Mumbles ? the weather is bad, but nothing to prevent our going on; and," he added, If we were bound for France, we should go. At last the Mumbles was reached. Small boats came out to meet us, and after we had elicited that we bad about four hours on shore, we got in, and were taken on to terra firiyia. In various ways was the time spent, Some went to Swansea and others round about, but on account, of the rain, which now came down unmercifully, most got under shelter where they could. Tinre for starting back (6.30) having nearly arrived, we took to the boats, and were again transferred to the Margaret." Whfcn we got on board we were comforted (?) by the information that it would be rougher going back than coming, as, indeed, after events proved. It being smoother the other side of the channel, the captain took us from one side right to the other, pass- ing on our way the Soarweatber Lightship. Wasn't it rough! The boat rolled and plunged, heavy seasdashed over her, soaking everybody, and flooding the deck. so I z, that mats, footboards, &c., were actually floating about. Then the people got thrown off their camp stools, and at last they lay forsaken for seats more substantial. Altogether, it was, as a passenger remarked, suggestive of a storm in the Bay of Biscay. However, we mide good headway, and after a time re-crossed the channel, and arrived off Barry in comparative calmness, and things began once more to assume something like order, though there were not wanting signs that it had not all been smooth sailing on the road to the Mumbles, let alone Tenby. Penartb passengers soon got ashore, and for the most part were glad to again feel safe on land. They wended their way home with the conviction that there were many things better that life at sea, and that they would never forget their little experience of what the sea is like in rough weather. All the passengers were unanimous in voting that the Lady Margaret" is by far the best boat in the channel, and the crew received unstinted praise.

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