CHAPTER XXV.
CEYLON.
_Thus was this place
_A happy rural seat of various views,_
_Groves whose rich trees wept odorous gums and balm,_
_Others, whose fruit, burnish'd with golden rind,_
_Hung amiable, Hesperian fables true._
_Wednesday, March 28th_.--At midnight the wind was slightly ahead, and
we could distinctly smell the fragrant breezes and spicy odours of
Ceylon. We made the eastern side of the island at daylight, and
coasted along its palm-fringed shores all day. I had been very unwell
for some days past, but this delightful indication of our near
approach to the land seemed to do me good at once. If only the
interior is as beautiful as what we can see from the deck of the
yacht, my expectations will be fully realised, brilliant as they are.
As the sun set, the beauty of the scene from the deck of the yacht
seemed to increase. We proceeded slowly, and at about nine o'clock
were in the roads of Galle and could see the ships at anchor. Tom did
not like to venture further in the dark without a pilot, and
accordingly told the signal-man to make signals for one, but being
impatient he sent up a rocket, besides burning blue lights, a mistake
which had the effect of bringing the first officer of the P. and O.
steamship 'Poonah' on board, who thought perhaps we had got aground or
were in trouble of some sort.
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